Obituaries for May 6, 2024

Cynthia “Cindy” Leigh Bouldin Becker

Cynthia “Cindy” Leigh Bouldin Becker, 65, died Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion.

Becker was absolutely selfless in everything she did. She was a loving wife, mom, grandmother, sister and friend. Becker was a dedicated Registered Nurse for over forty years in McKeesport, Penn., with Robert Wood Johnston University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Winchester Medical Center in Virginia and retiring from Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion after assisting in the delivery of most of the county’s children. Speaking of retirement, NOBODY loved family and gatherings more than Becker. She loved family vacations, cruises, cabins, Florida to Maryland to Gatlinburg to the Caribbean, she was ready to go! Her faith was important in her life and she enjoyed singing in the choir and attending Chilhowie United Methodist Church. During Covid-19, Becker worked in the ICU and never was sick. She was selfless in her family, faith, work and devotion to her community as a volunteer with the SWVA Medical Reserve Corp. and helping with events and fundraisers for Lance’s Heart Strings. If you knew her, you loved her and that infectious laugh that would brighten up any room. The world was better because of Cindy and today, Heaven is sweeter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mildred Bouldin; her father and mother-in-law, Carl K. Becker and Dorothy J.; and her nephew, Lance Frye.

Beckeris survived by her husband, Tim A. Becker of Chilhowie; her daughter, Alyssa L. Dockery (Dustin) of Florida; sons Timothy M. Becker (Samantha) of Chilhowie and Adam K. Becker (Savanna) of North Carolina; sisters, Betsy J. Frye (Wilbur) and Kim Brown (Floyd) all of Pennsylvania; brothers, Jeffery Bouldin (Pam) of Pennsylvania and Kenneth Bouldin, Jr. (Sheree) of Texas; grandchildren Keylan; Rowyn and Owen; many special nieces and nephews; and forever friends in Pennsylvania, Melissa Hogan (babysitter in Northern Virginia for years), Janece Risty and Lisa Dockery.

Family will receive friends Saturday, May 11, from noon until the time of service at 1 p.m. at Chilhowie United Methodist Church, 501 Old Stage Road, Chilhowie,with the Rev. Jacob Countis officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Cindy’s memory, may be made to Lance’s Heart Strings, Frye 10011 Bouldin Road, North Huntingdon, PA 15642.

To share memories of Cynthia Bouldin Becker please visit, www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Cindy has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory

William L. “Bill” Clay

William L. “Bill” Clay, 64, died Saturday, May 4, 2024.

To share memories of William L. “Bill” Clay, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Bill has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory.

Tamera Allyson “Tammy” DeBord

Tamera Allyson “Tammy” DeBord, 66, died Thursday, May 2, 2024, at her home in Marion.

DeBord, born in Saltville on Oct. 15, 1957, graduated from Marion Senior High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Intermont College. She dedicated numerous years of service at Brunswick, later General Dynamics, showcasing her strong work ethic. A devout Christian, her unwavering love for her Lord and others radiated in every encounter. Her dedication to Middle Fork Baptist Church and her role as a fervent prayer warrior reflected her deep faith. Her genuine compassion for others was evident in the countless individuals she cared for throughout the years.

She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas E. and Maidie Allison DeBord; grandparents Thomas and Mae Call DeBord and Ernest and Alice Brannon Allison; and her brother Thomas “Teddy” DeBord, Jr.

DeBord is survived by her son Jeremy Shelton(Brittney Fuller) of Marion; sisters Pam Blevins(Randall) of Marion, and Peggy Smith(Jeff) of Richmond; nieces Brittany DeBord(Justin Smith) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Allie Smith(Seth Wiltshire) of Richmond; nephew Tommy DeBord(Samantha) of Wytheville; aunts Sue Lawrence and Teresa DeBord; great nephews and niece Huntington, Beckett and Layker; many close DeBordand Allison cousins; and a host of friends to include special friends Rachel Shelton and her daughter Olivia Johnson; along with her furry four-legged family member Dumplin.

Burial was at Elizabeth Cemetery in Saltville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Middle Fork Baptist Church, P.O.Box 396 Chilhowie, VA, 24319. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the DeBord Family.

Drema Darlene Dunford

Drema Darlene Dunford, 70, of Ivanhoe died Thursday May 2. She was born in Galax on Sept. 21, 1953, to the late John Bowman and Geneva Funk.

She is survived by her children Todd Dunford and companion Crystal Mason of Ivanhoe, Karen Dunford and fiancé Richie Gentry of Ivanhoe; grandchildren Richard Levi Arnold, David Blake Dunford; Sisters Sharon(Kris) Householder of Apex, North Carolina, Debbie (Dana) Blair of Ivanhoe, Tonya (Mel) Barker of Sugar Grove and Delena (Kevin) Sturgill of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in the Fairview Methodist Church Cemetery in Ivanhoe.

Reese Funeral Home is serving the Dunford family.

Jason Lee Matz

Jason Lee Matz, 61, of Bland County died at Roanoke Memorial Hospital on May 2, 2024, after an extended illness. He received stellar care from the RMH doctors, nurses, and staff and departed this life both peacefully and comfortably.

Matz was born in Roanoke and graduated from George Wythe High School in Wytheville before attending both Virginia Tech and Washington State University. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from WSU. Prior to college, he served for four years in the United States Air Force.

He enjoyed living and working in the state of Washington in various technical fields and was employed by Western Wireless and then Microsoft Corporation. He made close friends while living in Washington, but Matz was a fellow that everyone seemed to like, whether in a work, social or community setting, wherever he went.

After relocating to Virginia again in 2011, he became active helping family, friends, and neighbors go about their daily lives, whether it was seeing that a church was heated in cold weather or giving someone a needed ride to the doctor. He was particularly watchful over his mother, helping her greatly in her senior years. His presence in the Little Creek section of Bland County, where he resided, will be sorely missed.

Per Jason’s request, interment will be in Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin. A graveside service will take place at a future date.

The family wishes to thank everyone that has reached out with kindness and support during this very difficult time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com The Matz family is in the care of Grubb Funeral Home Wytheville.

Wilbur “Ray” Pearman

Wilbur “Ray” Pearman, 72 of Ivanhoe died May 3.

He was preceded in death by parents Marie Shafner Pearman and Carlie Pearman, Sr.; sister, Hazel Bowman; and brother, Carlie Pearman.

He is survived by his fiancée, Bertha Monday; daughter, Dreama and Keith Kelly; stepdaughter, Patricia and Bill Worrell; grandchildren, Sheridan Kelly and Brady Kelly the light of his eyes; step-grandchildren, Tosha and LG Parish and Heather and Earl Hashman; sister, Daisy Lambert; brother, Roy Lee and Michelle Pearman; several nieces, nephews and friends survive; also his beloved dog “Baby” and his lifelong friend Becky Blair.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Barnett Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Hal Lewis officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Fries,. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday evening.

Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the Pearman family.

Lorretta Jean Phipps

Lorretta Jean Phipps, 86, died Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Deer Meadows Assisted Living in Abingdon.

She lived in Chilhowie and was born in Marion on Feb. 16, 1938. She graduated from Matewan High School in Matewan, West Virginia, before attending Marion Women’s College and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Wytheville Community College. She retired after a long career as an RN from Francis Marion Manor and then went on to enjoy a second career as an RN at Southwest VA Mental Health Institute before retiring from there.

She enjoyed traveling, visiting with family and friends, and especially her Red Hat club and she never met a Harlequin Romance she didn’t love to read. She was predeceased by one grandson.

She is survived by her son, Mark Phipps, and his granddaughter, Jaylee Phipps, and her daughter and son-in-law, Deidra and Mike Mathena, and their daughter, Kelly Stevens and her family, husband George; great-granddaughters Bridget, Josie, Maci, Courtney, Kimber, and great-grandson, Bo. She was especially close with her cousins, Brenda, Tony, Randy, Stevie, Gerald, and Matt and their spouses as well as her Freeman cousins. She will be missed by her Doyle and Davis in-laws and her close friends, Ethel and Sharon.

The family will have a Celebration of Life service later on in the year. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Phipps Family.

David Lee Sawyers

David Lee Sawyers, 66, died May 4, 2024 at Francis Marion Manor in Marion. He was born in Smyth County on Oct. 11, 1957 to the late Charles Henry Sawyers and Betty Mae Sawyers.

Sawyers dedicated over 36 years of his life to serving the town of Marion. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a deep commitment to his community. He loved and cherished his family, and he will be greatly missed by many.

Survivors include, his wife of 43 years, Olivia Sawyers; son, Demetry Sawyers and fiancée Ashley; brother, Kenneth Sawyers; sisters Janet Sawyers and Charlene Cooper; and grandson, Xander Sawyers.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion, with Bishop Nolan Wolfe officiating. The family will receive friends from noon – 1 p.m. prior to funeral services. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the family of David Lee Sawyers.