Phyllis Clark Anderson
Phyllis Clark Anderson, 82, born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on April 2, 1941, died Dec. 8, 2023.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Debora Ann Farmer; her parents, Clayton H. and Irene E. Clark; and her husband, Clifton Anderson.
A kind and generous soul, Anderson never met a stranger and went out of her way to help others in need. She retired from the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center in 2009 after 33 years of service. She always took pride in being a mentor for the youth and cherished her lifelong friendships with coworkers. After retirement she enjoyed spending more time outdoors and especially loved tending to her flower gardens.
She is survived by her constant companion, Abby Girl, the cat; daughters and husbands, Karen and Jim Stein of Alexandria, Virginia, and Sharon and Dean Bullins of Marion; grandchildren, Joshua and Kaila Stein of Washington D.C.; step-grandchildren, Claire Richardson of Staunton, Virginia, and Hunter Anderson of Marion; sister and nephew, Joyce and Stephen Flick of Rockville, Maryland; several cousins; and close friend Janet Atkins.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 3:30 p.m. at Frazier’s Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Barbara Doyle officiating. Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 720 Grace Street , Marion, Va. 24354 or Mel Lehman Free Clinic, 601 Radio Hill Rd., Marion, Va. 24354.
To share memories of Phyllis Clark Anderson, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Phyllis has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.
Terry Lee Clark
Terry Lee Clark, 62, of Danville, Virginia and formerly of Wythe County, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. He was born April 20, 1961 in Pulaski County, the son of the late Harold Clifton Clark and Eleanor Ruth Cline Clark Brown.
Survivors include several cousins, including Judy and Ronnie Saferight of Wytheville and their children, Ashley Kirk and Shannon Roberts.
Burial was at West End Cemetery.
Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the family.
Sally Ann Dolinger
Sally Ann Dolinger, 87, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.
She was the last surviving child of Rosa and Warren White of Bristol, Virginia, and was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings; Betty Loving, Peggy Miller, and Norman White; her first husband, James Nelson Pritchard III.
She is survived by her son, Timmy Pritchard, as well as her nieces and nephews, and special friend, Jack Aker.
Condolences can be made to the family online at www.wfhchilhowie.com. Williams Funeral Home is serving the Dolinger Family.
Wayne Nolan Gardner
Wayne Nolan Gardner age 86, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tennessee.
In keeping with his wishes, all services will be held privately. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Gardner Family.
Debra G. Garrett
Debra G. Garrett, 62, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 at Mountain Laurel Health & Rehab in Rural Retreat.
Garrett was born on July 27, 1961 in Gate City. She was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley Joe Head and her husband, James Earl Garrett.
Garrett was a big NFL and Nascar fan. She loved the Dallas Cowboys and Dale Earnhardt. She also enjoyed thrift shopping, yard sales and gardening. She was a simple, easy going and down to earth lady. She loved her family very much and took pride in keeping them together.
Survivors include two daughters, Tammy McCray and Donna Hogan; first grandson, Deshaun Garrett; father, Pat Emmitt Head; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the family of Debra Garrett.
James R. Grove Jr.
James R. Grove Jr., 91, formerly of Hagerstown, Maryland, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at his home in Wytheville. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Palladino Grove, his parents James and Helen Grove and brother Charles Grove (Mary).
He is survived by his wife, Patty Grove; five children, Sandra Anderson, Debra Jolliffe (Edward), Curtis Grove (Ann), David Grove and Kevin Grove; seven grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren, all in Maryland.
Grove worked for A&P Supermarkets for 27 years in Hagerstown. He retired from Super Value after 17 years. He loved fishing and boating at his Fenwick Island, Delaware, home. He and Patty then moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where the boating and fishing continued, and traveled with Florida friends Don and Glenna Diehl. They have resided in Wytheville for the past 24 years. They attended Chilhowie First Church of God.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday Dec. 13, at Grubb Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Dunn officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place at a later date in Hagerstown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com
Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kathleen Hensley Kuehl
Kathleen Hensley Kuehl, 95, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 at the Mountain Laurel Nursing Home in Rural Retreat.
She was the daughter of Doll and Lelia Lelia Copenland Hensley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Arnold Kuehl.
She is survived by daughters Vicki Hensley and Elizabeth Groseclose, both of Wytheville; son, Christopher Kuehl and wife, Barbara, of Wytheville; two grandsons, Jarrett Kuehl and Adam Kuehl and wife, Jessica; three great-grandchildren, Annaleese, Jocleeyn, and Braydann Kuehl; and two special caregivers, Debbie Hylar and Felicia Thomas and her niece, Glenda Dunford and friend Bob Sullivan.
Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Grubb Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Derek Cowan, with interment to follow in Speedwell Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 1 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Speedwell Methodist Church Cemetery Fund. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com
Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Ann Levitt
Margaret Ann Levitt, 69, of Bastian died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Born May 13, 1954, in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Troy Leslie Proffitt and Mary Helen Asbury Proffitt.
She loved her Harley Davidson Motorcycles. She loved attending Church at the Princeton Church of God. She loved her husband dearly.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Bentley Levitt, brothers Walter Proffitt and Robert Proffitt.
Survivors include, her son Charles Levitt and wife, Melissa, of Bastian; one daughter, Geneva Willis and husband, Dell, of Rural Retreat; one grandson, Cayden of Rural Retreat; two great-grandchildren Paisley and Paxton; two brothers, Troy Proffitt of Roanoke and Danny Proffitt and wife, Kathy, of Newport Richey, Florida; two sisters, Nancy McDonald and husband, Grat, of Tazewell and Dorothy Ward and husband, Michael, of Johnson City, Tennessee; special Niece Bethany McDonald; and best friend Liz Artis.
Funeral Services will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. at Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland with the Rev. Ray Hurt officiating. Burial will follow at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin. Friends and Family will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call Thursday, Dec. 14, from noon until 1 p.m. at the Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland.
Bland Funeral Chapel is serving the Levitt family.
Frances Smith Parks
Frances Smith Parks, 83, of Wytheville, died home Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Per Frances’s request there will be no services. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com
Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Aulbin Henry Pennington
Aulbin Henry Pennington, 85, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at his home in Konnarock.
Pennington was born in Konnarock on April 15, 1938. He is preceded in death by his parents Wardie and Verla Jane Pennington; son Sgt. Gregory Pennington; daughter Vickie Pennington; two brothers, Conley and Jerry Pennington; and a sister Nancy Jane Perrin. He was a faithful member of Azen Baptist Church in Konnarock. He enjoyed farming, fishing, and hunting, especially going squirrel hunting.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Jewel Pennington; two sons, Walter Pennington and Michelle Block, and Hank Pennington; two daughters, Teresa Parsons and husband, Ronald, and Rotha Renee Widener and husband, Bert; sister Cleta Mae Blevins; daughter-in-law Janet Pennington; grandchildren Wesley Pennington, Richie Pennington, Russell Pennington, Alex Widener, Joey Widener, Julie Widener, Dustin Widener, Ronnie Funk, Jennifer Walls, Daniel Walls and Stephaine and Matt Hall; sister-in-law Stella Pennington; six great-grandchildren and one on the way; numerous nieces, and nephews; and special friends Frank McCoy and Hubert Blevins.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Azen Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Lundy officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 -3 p.m., at the church on Wednesday. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie is serving the Pennington Family.
Frances Barker Perkins
Frances Barker Perkins, 84, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.
Perkins was born on Feb. 6, 1939, in Bandy, Virginia. She was raised in Grant, and then spent her remaining years in Troutdale. She graduated from Virginia Carolina High School in 1958. She was a dedicated servant to her Lord and a lifelong member of Liberty Hill Baptist Church. Her love for her family was precise and deliberate, as was she. She was not one for grand gestures, but every holiday involved every one of her children and grandchildren’s favorite cake, pie, or casserole. If you requested an extra pillow or blanket, it was on the bed before your arrival every time you visited from then on. Every visit concluded with a “drive safe and call me when you get home” while she watched and waved as you pull out of the drive from the doorway. In everything she did for us, she showed a love that is as deafening in its absence as it was quiet in her life, and the world is a lesser place without it.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ora and Laura Brooks Barker; and three brothers Jimmy, Calvin, and Carson Barker.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Perkins; daughter Melody Emerson and husband, Chuck; son Greg Perkins and wife, Tammie; grandchildren Chase Emerson, Amanda Perkins, Adam Perkins and spouse Jo Pratt, Hannah Perkins, Natalie Perkins and Reagan Perkins; sister Brenda Young and husband, Jerry; and several nieces, nephews, other loving family and friends, and her church family.
Burial was at Liberty Hill Church Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Perkins Family.
Gaye Dell Pugh
Gaye Dell Pugh, 84, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Pugh was an avid quilter and crafter. She enjoyed making things for her family and friends. She was blessed with good friends and neighbors who all were a great help in a time of need.
She is preceded in death by her parents Albert and Lena Miller Frost, and her husband Grover Russell Pugh.
She is survived by her daughter Gayla Combs and husband, Sherman, of Sugar Grove; granddaughter Sarah Taylor and husband, Greg, of Marion; and sister Irene Richardson of Whitetop.
The family would like to express a special Thank You to her sister Irene, late nephew Zon Richardson, Virginia Reedy, and Bob Sullivan for all their love, care, and support shown to Gaye and the family.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Grant Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Barr officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. The family will have a private visitation at Bradley’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Gaye. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Pugh Family.
Katherine Orr Trail
Katherine Orr Trail, 99, died Dec. 11, 2023.
She was the daughter of Charles M. and Bessie M. Orr of Rich Valley.
She is preceded in death by her husband, J. Gordon Trail, an infant son John Harold Trail, a beloved son Charles Trail, her sister Lucy Barrett and brothers Walter and Archie Orr.
She leaves behind a daughter Linda Dean (Harry) and sister-in-law Mabel Orr of Broadford; many nieces, nephews and cousins; grandchildren John Trail Rowland (Heather), Jared Gordon Trail, Derek Ryan Trail, Jennifer Dean Bales (Matthew), Christopher Jason Dean (Amy) and Jonathan Blake Dean (Bayley); and seven great-grandchildren: Reese, Jack, and Blake Rowland and Corbin, Calen, Ariel and Theodore Dean.
Trail was a graduate of Rich Valley High School and Emory & Henry College. She worked at Brunswick Corporation and retired after teaching 29 years in Smyth County schools. She was a member of Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, DAR, American Legion Auxiliary, Rebekah Lodge, Post Noble Grand, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Pilot Club, Smyth County Retired Teacher’s Association, and the Virginia Retired Teacher’s Board. She was passionate about her family, teaching, clubs, church, and sports, in particular basketball, in which she excelled in high school and college.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, Dec. 14, from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Dr. Alan Gray officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 -2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial donations may be made to Marion Civitan Club or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the staff at Francis Marion Manor, Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia, and special caregivers Beverly Evans and Sandy Eller. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Trail family.
Lester Lyn Wimmer, 76, of Marion died Dec. 5, 2023.
Lester Lyn Wimmer
Wimmer was born to Eva Pilson Harvey and Posey Lester Harvey on Sept. 5, 1947 in Roanoke.
He was an avid fisherman, devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was also a Vietnam era combat veteran in the U.S. Army from Dec. 8, 1964 until Dec. 7, 1970. Wimmer was a member of the Chilhowie Baptist Church. He also worked as a service technician for the ICEE Corp. more than 20 years. He and his siblings were adopted by their stepfather Bernard W. Wimmer.
Wimmer is survived by his wife of 50 years, Connie; five children, Scott Wimmer and wife, Michaela, with grandson Wesley, Chris Wimmer and wife, Loretta, with granddaughters, Hunter with significant other Tanner Kinser, and Katelin, James Wimmer with grandsons Tanner and Tyler, Erik Wimmer with grandsons Tristian and Mattyx, and daughter Leslie Wimmer with grandson Kadin Hall; brother Van Wimmer and his wife, Rose; several nieces and nephews including Allen, Jeffery and Michael Wimmer, Samantha and Robbie Taylor, Amber and Anna Walker, Rick, John, Frank, Patty and Alice; sisters-in-law Debbie and Randall Greer and Hope Townley; family friend Lee Walker; and his fishing buddies Martin Hanbury and Donnie Dean.
He is predeceased by his parents, Eva and Bernard Wimmer, brothers Don and Rex Wimmer and sister Betty Joe Hannabass.
Burial was at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery at 5550 Bagging Plant Road, Dublin. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Wimmer family.
