March 15, 2023
Thomas William “Bill” Bise Sr.
Thomas William “Bill” Bise Sr., 85, died Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion.
Bise was born in Rich Valley to the late Harvey amd Minnie Havens Bise. Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by a brother Travis “Pete” Bise, and sisters Dorothy “Polly” Doyle, Shirley Umbarger, and Martha Juba.
Bise started his career with the SWVA Mental Health Institute, and later retiring from Department of Corrections in Marion with 15 years of service. He enjoyed being outdoors. He spent his time coon hunting, trout fishing and working in his garden. He also loved spending time with his family, telling stories and playing his guitar.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Goodpasture Bise; five children Thomas W. Bise Jr and wife, Angela., Cynthia D. Bise, Catherine L. Bise, Deborah S. Surber and husband Tim, and Christopher M. Bise; brother John Bise and wife, Rachel; sister Margaret Robinson and husband, Billy; grandchildren Jason Havens, Tess Musick, Mandy Hagee and husband, Daniel, Troy Bise and wife, Tammy, Samantha Havens, Morgan Stumbo and husband, Wayne, Devin Bise, and Courtnie Bise; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Tim Surber officiating. Interment will follow in the Ridgedale Cemetery in Rich Valley.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Bise Family.
Patricia Ann Crawford
Patricia Ann Crawford, 66, of Piney died Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Dunford and was preceded in death by her husband Terry Crawford; sister, Brenda Holston.
She is survived by her son, Tom Crawford and wife, Sherry;daughter, Laura Crawford and husband, C.A.;sister and brother-in-law, Judy and William McKinney; sisters-in-law, Ruth Davidson, Veda Crawford, Cheryl Crawford, Sharon Dalton and Danny, Brenda Coleman and Rick, Racheal Lee and Paul; brother-in-law, Joe Crawford and Becky;grandchildren, Aliyah Smith and David, Sadie Smith and Trey, Trey Smith, Avery Crawford and Christian, Mallory Crawford, Eric Gravely and Kaylee Pelkey; great-grandchildren, Aubrie, Ainsley, Serenity, Connor, Loretta, Cheyanne and Melissa; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Burial was at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Andrea Denise McAllister Griffey
Andrea Denise McAllister Griffey, 39, of Wytheville died Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
She was born June 30, 1983, the daughter of the late Bill McAllister, and was preceded in death by son, Cash Allen Griffey and special friend Johnny Harris, six little angels.
Griffey was survived by her husband, Thomas Steven Griffey Jr.; mother, Brownie Wingate McAllister; children, Bradley Steven Griffey, and Shannon McKay Griffey; siblings, Candace and Heavy Viars, Susie Garret, Sherry Williams, sister-in-law, Amy and James Broyles; granddaughter, Emory Michelle Isom; and many special nieces and nephews.
Burial was at the Viars Family Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Leonard John Davis Sr.
The Rev. Leonard John Davis Sr., 82, of Wytheville died Tuesday, March 7, 2023. He was born June 29, 1940, in Washington, D.C., and was the son of the late Rev. John Edward Davis and Bessie Betty Addison-Davis.
Davis had a servant’s heart, a passion for serving others. He was first licensed as a minister within the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, 2nd and 3rd Districts in 1972. Davis pastored for more than 40 years diligently serving the church and surrounding community before retiring active ministry from his final pastoral assignment at Saint John AME Church, Roanoke in 2015.
Davis thoroughly enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He was most happy fellowshipping with loved ones, fine dining, gardening, viewing old western movies and maintaining his tropical fish aquarium. His personal life motto was, “Take each day at a time, Enjoy each day to the fullest, Each day is a blessing.”
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carrie Blanche Davis; three sons, David Devell Davis of Augusta, Georgia, Leonard John Davis Jr. of Mableton, Georgia, and Derrick Andrew Davis of Wytheville; five daughters, Linda Marie (Paul) Hawkins of Wentzville, Missouri; Kimela Katrice (Rev. Theodore) Curtis of Moore, Oklahoma; Jessica Lennette Holley-Davis (Jason Edwards) of Bluefield, West Virginia; Alisha Denise Hicks (Chris Lee) of Wytheville; Ambria Brandy Davis (Milton Dale II) of Wytheville; Carlos and Ginger Garrett, Lexington, North Carolina, and numerous other foster children; 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was a proud and faithful member of Bethel AME Church, Wytheville, Masonic Order at Allegheny-Dunbar #09 Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia; Order of Eastern Star Glasco, Virginia; Order of Ellen Earley Chapter Number 209.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Barnett Funeral Home. The Rev. Vanessa Baldwin, pastor of Bethel AME Church will officiate over the service. Retired Presiding Elders Archie Richmond and James Beatty will conduct the eulogy. The wake viewing will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery Mausoleum, 1825 West Lee Hwy, Wytheville.
Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the Davis family.
Richard Lee “Tish” Eversole
Richard Lee “Tish” Eversole, 94, of Wytheville died Thursday, March 9, 2023.
He was born May 26, 1928 in Pulaski, the son of the late Robert Taylor Eversole and Bertha Elma Jonas Eversole. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Edith Mae Thomas Eversole; two sisters, Helen Etter and Alberta Arnold; a brother, J.D. Eversole.
Eversole was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War.
Survivors include three daughters, Lora and Leo Grubb of Speedwell, Tammy and Jacky Scott, Teresa and Maxie Aker, all of Wytheville; three grandchildren and their spouses, Brittney and Brad Litton, Nathan and April Aker, Jerry and Michelle Fisher; six great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Litton, Benson Litton, Abby Aker, Nixon Aker, Aurelia Aker and Kristen Cox; one great-great-granddaughter, Ellie Michelle Cox; two sisters, Patsy Saferight of Wytheville and Margie Folden of Pulaski; brother-in-law, Don Arnold of Dublin; and several nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.
Burial was at West End Cemetery.
Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the Eversole family.
Earl Edward Griffey
Earl Edward Griffey, 76, died Monday March 13, 2023, at his home in Marion.
Griffey was born in Smyth County to the late John Henry Griffey and Ruby Davidson Griffey and was preceded in death by his son, Earl Griffey Jr.; sisters, Sally Brooks and Barbara Russell; brother, Henry Griffey.
He was a veteran of the US Army serving in the Vietnam War and retired from Merillat after 30 years of service. He loved his Lord and Savior and was a former Elder at Lowman Valley Church and was currently serving as an Elder at Lincoln Hill Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and his garden.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Brenda Pierce Griffey; daughter, Tammy Michelle Griffey Davidson and husband, Donald; sister, Dorothy Bunch and husband, Tony; grandchildren, Frankie Griffey, Matthew Griffey, Sara Davidson, Donnie Davidson, Angel Davidson and Tiffany Davidson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m., Friday March 17, at Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. James Davidson officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5-7 p.m. prior to services. Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, at Lowman Valley Church Cemetery with full military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667 and the Virginia Army Honor Guard. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Griffey Family
Danny Ray Hicks Sr.
Danny Ray Hicks Sr., 50, of Shelby, North Carolina, died Friday, March 10, 2023.
He was born in Welch, West Virginia, on Dec. 7, 1972 and was preceded in death by his father, Merton Hicks; sister, Ruth Ann Mitchem and a brother, Randall Charles Hicks.
He is survived by children, Danny Ray Hicks Jr. of Wytheville and daughter, Victoria Ramsey of War, West Virginia; grandchildren, Lucas Ramsey and Ryker Ramsey; mother, Gracie Lou H. Hicks of Wytheville; brother, Jimmy Wayne Hicks of Coretta, West Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial was at West End Cemetery.
Barnett Funereal Home, Wytheville, is serving the Hicks family.
Donald Ralph Jones
Donald Ralph Jones, 59, died March 12, 2023.
He was born Oct. 27, 1963, to Evalee Jones and the late Ralph Jones, and was also preceded in death by his grandmother Bertie Rankin, sister Nancy Jones, brother Paul Anthony Jones, great-nephew Aiden Jones and in-laws George and Edna Stafford.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 39 years, Teresa Lynn Jones.
A funeral service will be held Thursday March 16, at 7 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Home in Austinville. the family will receive friends at the Reese Funeral Home Thursday from 6 p.m. until service time.
A graveside service will be held Friday March 17, at 11 a.m. at the Rankin Family Cemetery.
Although flowers will be appreciated, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association- P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield VA 22116-7023 or to the National Autism Association – One Park Avenue Suite 1 Portsmouth RI 02871
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.highlandfuneralservice.com
The Reese Funeral Home in Austinville is serving the Jones Family.
Chad Edward Kegley
Chad Edward Kegley, 50, of Wytheville died Monday, March 6, 2023.
He was born in Radford on Nov. 11, 1972.
Kegley is the son of George Dearl Kegley and Diana Goff Kegley.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, William Edward Goff and Iona Taylor Goff and paternal grandparents, George Edward Kegley and Edith Hoback Kegley; and uncle, James Edward Goff.
Surviving, in addition to his parents are brother, Bradley Shaun Kegley; nephew, Carter Weston Kegley; aunt and uncle, Jan and Tony Wolford; uncle and aunt, Dennis and Judy Goff; aunt, Diane B. Goff; cousins and spouses, Brian and Miriam Goff, Geoff and Carson Goff, Lance and Quinn Goff, Ally Goff Martin and Ryan, Todd and Megan Wolford, Brandon and Kelsey Wolford, John and Eileen Goff, Leslie and Will McDow; and special friends Rankin and Linda Ring.
Kegley loved animals, enjoyed fishing and was a very good fisherman. His favorite hobby was designing and making fishing lures. There will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, if anyone would like to make a donation in memory of Chad, we would suggest a contribution to the Wythe Bland Animal Welfare League (WBAWL), P.O. Box 1086, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Gary Dean Kell Sr.
Gary Dean Kell Sr., 56, died Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at his home in Marion.
Kell was born in Marion on Oct. 24, 1966, to the late Jack and Martha Sue Kell.
He is survived by three sons Gary Kell Jr., Timothy Kell and Aaron Kell; brother Donny Kell and wife, Darlene; grandchildren Zachary, Zoey, Lily, and Kylie Kell; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends to include special friend Kathleen Helton.
Private graveside services will be held at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Kell Family.
Robert Allen “Bobby” Kell Sr.
Robert Allen “Bobby” Kell Sr., 72, died Monday, March 13, 2023, at Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion.
He was born in Smyth County on Oct. 12, 1950. He is preceded in death by his parents James and Levada Bridgeman Kell; a son Robert Kell Jr.; and sisters Betty Hayden and Joann Wise.
Kell retired from Visador with 20-plus years of service. He also worked many years at the Blue Ridge Job Corps.
He is survived by his companion Lee Thomas; three sons Kevin Kell Sr., Jason Kell and wife, Becky, and Carl “Quinten” Kell; sister Pat Sayers and husband, Shaster; mother of his children Tudy Kell; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and his fur babies Misty, Chaco, Chewbacca and Bonnie.
Private graveside services will be held on Monday, March 20, at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion with the Rev. Paul Shallenburg officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Kell Family.
Louise Arabelle Blevins Leslie
Louise Arabelle Blevins Leslie, 85, died Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Smyth County Community Hospital ICU, one day short of her 86th birthday.
Leslie was born in Smyth County to the late Eli L. Blevins and Gertie Eldreth Blevins and was preceded in death by her brothers, Albert Blevins, Baker Blevins, Smith Blevins, Willard Blevins, Millard Blevins, Ralph Blevins, Wade Blevins Sr. and her sister, Thelma Poe.
She was a member of Grosses Creek Baptist Church throughout her youth.
She retired as a bookkeeper and office manager of the Vance Hardware Company home office in Chilhowie. Following retirement, Leslie enjoyed travel and golf through the southeastern United States with her husband Marvin. She and Marvin, playing out of Holston Hills Country Club, played golf and volunteered in the American Cancer Society’s Mid Atlantic Golf Championship in Virginia. Together they traveled extensively throughout Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, Spain and North Africa. Louise was an avid reader of inspirational books about the Amish culture. She and her husband made trips to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, region to experience that culture up close.
Survivors include, her husband of 60 years, Marvin E. Leslie Jr.; sister, Jean Bonham and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She leaves behind dear sisters in law, Lois (Mrs. Ralph Blevins) and Margaret Blevins.
Burial was at Rose Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Smyth County Humane Society, PO Box 1124 Marion, VA 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Leslie family.
Denver Ray “Red” McFann
Denver Ray “Red” McFann, 76, of Bland died Friday, March 10, 2023.
He was born March 24, 1946, in Ironton, Ohio, the son of the late Ray and Helen Kitchen McFann. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Julie McFann; a brother, James “Jeff” McFann; three sisters, Peggy Puckett, Jeanette Cooper and Penny Stover; a nephew, Kyle Stover.
McFann was a United States Army veteran and served during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his son, Patrick (Crystal) McFann of Riegelwood, North Carolina; stepson, Gary Lee Rickman of Elkton, Maryland; daughters, Raychelle McFann of Kennesaw, Georgia, Alissa (Michael) Bussie of Acworth, Georgia, step-daughter, Michelle Hall of Rural Retreat; grandchildren, Andrew, Jasmine, Ella, Zachary, Alex, Jonathan and Hope; a sister, Patricia McFann of Charleston,West Virginia; brothers, Tony (Diana) McFann of Julian, West Virginia, Gary (Debbie) McFann of Turtle Creek, West Virginia; and many extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Bland Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow in Morning Star Cemetery.
Highland Bland Funeral Chapel, Bland, is serving the McFann family.
Theresa Marie Miller
Theresa Marie Miller, 58, died Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at her home in Max Meadows.
Miller was born in St. Helen, Oregon, to the late Russel; Zockhrt, and Sharon Shear Maylor.
She loved being outdoors and spending time on her property with her boyfriend and animals. She was a free-spirited person, who enjoyed the fruits and spirits of her land. She never met a stranger and just enjoyed life.
She is survived by her boyfriend Claude Snider; two children Joseph Miller and Nicole “Nikki” Lhotka; grandchildren Rylee Lhotka and Charlie Conway; brother Russell Maylor; and her pet companions Munch, Slim, Ghost, Whiskers, Rosie, and her pot belly pig Pebbles.
In keeping with her wishes, the family will have private services at their home in Max Meadows. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Miller Family.
Judith Poston “Hart” Rorrer
Judith Poston “Hart” Rorrer, 83, died March 10, 2023.
She was preceded in death by her father Garland Poston, mother Beulah Hedrick “Poston” Kincer, and stepfather Rupert Kincer.
Rorrer graduated from GWHS in 1956. She moved to Richmond where she resided until returning to Wytheville in 1982. She received her bachelor’s degree from VCU and taught special education in Henrico and Wythe counties, and was very involved in Special Olympics, until she retired, continuing to substitute until Parkinsons Disease prevented her from doing so.
She loved music and enjoyed singing and playing her guitar or piano. She sang in the church choir where she attended, most recently at Mt Pleasant UMC. She was also a Sunday school teacher and a lay speaker.
Rorrer was known for her love of people and her sense of humor. She had a giving heart and never turned away anyone in need.
Rorrer is survived by her son Darrell Hart of Richmond, daughter Teresa Hart Carter (Forrest) of Wytheville; five grandchildren, Joshua Carter (Lyndsey), Chelsea Carter and Lucas Carter, Brandy Hart Knighton (Jeff) and Shelli Hart; great-granddaughter Dagny Carter; stepdaughter Melissa Hernandez; stepsons Bryan Rorrer (Angel) and Brad Rorrer; six step-grandchildren, Tony and Rosa Hernandez, Kathleen Rivera, Kayley Jones, Scottie Rorrer and Elissa Conner; special friend and caretaker, Jerrie Carter Welch, with whom she shared her home for 11 years; and her fur buddy, Benji.
She will be buried in the West End Cemetery, following a celebration of her life at Mt Pleasant UMC on Saturday March 18. Visitation 1 p.m. and service at 2 p.m. The family is requesting that all wear bright colors.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Special Olympics or Mt. Pleasant UMC.
Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the Rorrer family.
