Tue, 22 May 2012 11:04:53 -0800WeeblyMon, 21 May 2012 07:56:18 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2012/05/rev-john-w-murphy.html



Rev. John W. Murphy, affectionately known as Brother John to his congregations and  Daddy John to his family, passed away at age 80 at Pulaski Community Hospital in Pulaski, VA on May 19, 2012, due to complications of lymphoma.




John was born Nov 22, 1931, to George R. and Mary Rose Murphy in Danville, KY.  He was raised in Standford and St. Matthews, KY.  After graduating from Louisville Male High School in 1949, he served in the U. S. Navy during 1951-1955, first stationed at Moffett Airfield and later in the Philippines.  




A strong believer in education, he earned a Bachelors of Science degree followed by a Masters degree in Genetics in 1957, both from the University of Kentucky, a Bachelor of Divinity in 1963 and a Master of Theology in 1969, both from the Lexington Theological Seminary.




Beginning in 1961, John ministered at Bethlehem Christian Church, North Middletown Christian Church, and 26 years at Florence Christian Church (FCC) in Kentucky.  While at FCC, he led the development and management of three senior citizen complexes and a day care center.  Somehow, he also found time to make ceramics in his basement for the church and community.  After allegedly retiring, he served as the interim minister of Summerset Christian Church, Hillsville Christian Church, and First Christian Church of Pulaski.  For the last 11 years, he preached at Newbern Christian Church which he helped to revive.  He preached his last sermon on Apr 29, 2012, three weeks before his death. 




John influenced a great number of people through his work as a minister and as a Scoutmaster.   He led groups on many adventures:  yearly youth camping trips at Dale Hollow Lake, an 85 day Scout camping trip to Alaska in 1963, five trips to the Holy Land, trips to the Grand Canyon, Florida, the Outer Banks, and countless other trips.  




Many people benefited from his hobbies.  His photographs decorate many homes and churches.  He was a great cook and cooked for many church and family gatherings.  John liked gardening and decorating the church.  For many years, he led bell choirs and choirs, and he enjoyed singing in his beautiful tenor voice. He loved nature, hiking, pulling skiers, fishing, and camping.  As a young man, he spent several summers camping on a remote island on Dale Hollow Lake, and after retiring, he and his wife, Verl Ann, spent six summers working as a camp host in Haines, Alaska.  




John had a great love for his family.  He lovingly called Verl Ann by the nickname “Wife.”   He often referred to his five daughters by their birth order calling them Daughter Number 1, Daughter Number 2 . . . . Loving to travel, he took his family on many adventurous trips including multiple trips to Hawaii and a 78 day camping trip out west and to Alaska.  His pet dogs and horse were an important part of his family.




John is survived by his wife, Verl Ann, and his daughters: Maria Ehme, her husband Jeff, and their three children; Martha Allen, her husband Ric, and their six children; Lois Lee, her husband Darrell, and their three children; Sarah Blank and her husband Ken; Ruth Wagers and her husband Shannon; and his horse Cheyanne.




The Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday, May 21 at Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home, 415 Jefferson Ave. N. , Pulaski, VA.  The funeral service will be held at First Christian Church of Pulaski, 524 N. Jefferson Ave, Pulaski, VA, 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 22.  A memorial service is being planned for John in Florence, KY.




Memorial donations may be mailed to Newbern Christian Church, 5183 Wilderness Rd, P.O. Box 325, Newbern, VA 24126, where they will be sent to two of John’s favorite charities: Heifer International and Week of Compassion.




“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  John 14: 1 - 2

]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:23:07 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2012/04/david-wooling-ratcliff-jr.html David Woolling Ratcliff, Jr., age 67 – passed Monday morning at Lewis Gale Hospital Salem after a brief illness.

Born January 23, 1945 in Pulaski, VA, he was a lifetime resident of Pulaski.

He was preceded in death by parents David W. Ratcliff, Sr. and Pauline W. Ratcliff of Pulaski.

Dave graduated from Pulaski County High School 1963 and is a 1967 Graduate of VPI & SU where he was a member of the Hokie Golf Team.

He was employed by Hercules at Radford Army Ammunition Plant where he served as Program Specialist, Purchasing Superintendent, Contracts Manager, Manager of Materials Management and completed his 40 year service as Director of Finance and Administration.

After retirement he continued to serve in Facilities Marketing with ATK.

He was most recently employed by NRV Economic Alliance and NRV Planning District Commission.

He retired to become a full time golfer in 2009.

He was a member and elder of First Christian Church, Pulaski, VA and a founding Board Member of CNB Bank, Pulaski, VA.

 

Dave is survived by his wife, Norma Ratcliff of Pulaski, VA; daughter Jill R. Hostetter and her husband Gary Hostetter of Dublin, VA; son Mark D. Ratcliff of Dublin, VA; step-daughter Kim Huggins and her husband John Huggins of Warrenton, VA; granddaughter Bailey Hostetter of Dublin, VA; step-grandchildren Logan and Dylan Huggins of Warrenton, VA; sister Sharon Ratcliff of Wytheville, VA; brother J. Michael Ratcliff and his wife Ruth Ratcliff of Pulaski, VA; niece Jodi Semones of Spring Hill, FL; and nephews John Semones of New Castle, VA and Justin Ratcliff of Pulaski, VA.

 

Golf was Dave’s life passion.  He was the oldest surviving participant of the Pulaski Country Club Member-Guest Tournament having played in every event since it’s inception, July 1967.  He and his partner from Virginia Tech won the first event.  Tom Mabe, cousin and lifelong friend participated with Dave in all but two member-guest tournaments since 1969.  Dave won his first Club Championship at age 20 and continued to win numerous championships and tournaments until his death.

 

Service will be held at Stevens Funeral Home at 6:00 pm on Thursday evening, officiated by Tom Mabe, followed by visitation with Family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pulaski County High School Golf Booster Club at Pulaski Country Club, 4360 Lee Highway, Pulaski, VA 24301, attention Chris Byrd. 
]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:22:09 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2012/04/nancy-beatrice-southern-horton.html Nancy “Beatrice” Southern Horton, 96, was surrounded by family when she went to be with the Lord on April 15, 2012 in Lewis Gale Hospital - Pulaski.  She was born September 9, 1915, and was the daughter of the late Charles Whitlock Southern and Clora Morris Southern.  She was the third of four children, preceded in death by Mabel Andrews, Daisy Turpin, and Charles Whitlock Southern, Jr.  Beatrice was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Elwin Leroy Horton.  She was employed by Radford Arsenal for almost 29 years.  Beatrice is survived by her daughter and late son-in-law Shirley and Larry Long of Newbern;  daughter and son-in-law Yvonne and Danny Harriman of Newbern.  She is also survived by six grandchildren, Debbie Weikel of Pulaski, Gene Harriman of Newbern, Vicki (Jerry) Thomas of Dublin, Walter (Rebecca) Harriman of Draper,  Barry Long of Maryland, and Sharon Harriman (Joel) Burchett of Pulaski, great grandchildren, Santanna Martin of Floyd, Cody Weikel of Pulaski, Caleb Harriman of Draper, and Joel Burchett III of Pulaski, great great grandchildren, Destiny Williston of Floyd, and Starla Weikel of Pulaski,  several nieces and newphews and a special nephew, Cooper Andrews Jr, of Roanoke.  A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Seagle Funeral Home in Pulaski, with Rev. Roy Turpin officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens.  The family would like to thank Dr. Pendergrast and the staff at Lewis Gale Hospital of Pulaski for the great care given to their mother and grandmother in her last days.  Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.  Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com  Arrangements by Seagle Funeral Home, Pulaski.  540-980-1700

]]>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:15:12 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2012/02/thomas-james-burnette.html Thomas James Burnette, 78, of Pulaski, Virginia died late Saturday  night, February 11, 2012 at Lewis Gale Hospital of Pulaski. He was born in Fieldale, Virginia. He was the son of the late Ophus Jackson Burnette and Olivia Slaughter Burnette. Mr. Burnette was a retired Lieutenant for the Town of Pulaski Police Department. He served the town from October 1969 March 1992. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Frances Branscome Burnette. Also preceded in death by his parents, Ophus Jackson and Olivia Slaughter Burnette and one sister, Pansy Marie Burnette Morris.

Survivors include several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin, Virginia with military honors. Visiting will be Tuesday evening at Stevens Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society; P.O. Box 1046, Dublin, Va.  24084.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., Pulaski, Virginia. 
]]>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:21:55 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2011/11/charles-clayborn-doyle.html Charles Clayborn Doyle

Charles Clayborn Doyle, 86, of Pulaski died Monday November 14, 2011. He was born in Pulaski on November 10, 1925 and was the son of the late Charles William Doyle and Minnie Whitaker Doyle.

Surviving are:

Wife – Elva H. Doyle, Pulaski

Daughter and Son-in-law – Gloria D. Morris and C. Leon Morris, Christiansburg

Son and Daughter-in-Law – Phillip and Janet Doyle, Barren Springs

Grandchildren – Barry Roberson, Pulaski; Derek Roberson, Pulaski

Four Great-Grandchildren

Funeral service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from Stevens Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski. Visiting will be Thursday from the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home. 
]]>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:32:24 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2011/11/edward-lee-viers.html Edward Lee Viers

Edward Lee Viers, 71, of Hiwassee, Va., died early Wednesday morning November 9, 2011 in the Pulaski Health and Rehab Center. He was born in Pulaski County on September 29, 1940 and was the son the late Eugene Matthew Viers and Mary Jarrells Viers.

Surviving are:

Daughter & Son-in-Law – Pam & John Hanson

Son – Jeffrey Viers

Sisters – Margaret V. Hicks, Louise V. Dickerson, Elizabeth V. McCambridge, Linda V. Atkins

Brother- John Viers

Grandchildren – Zachary Hanson, Nicollette Hanson, Samantha Viers, Daniel Viers.

Funeral service will be Friday at 11 a.m. from Stevens Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bobby Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the Trail Cemetery, Hiwassee, Visiting will be Friday from the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the service hour.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home. 
]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:26:13 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2011/11/frances-barber-marshall.html Frances Marshall

Frances Barber Marshall, 78 ,of Pulaski joined her heavenly father on November 2, 2011 at Greenfield Reflections in Strasburg, Va. Mrs. Marshall was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend to so many.

Mrs. Marshall was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski, Va. As a member for over 30 years, she will be missed. She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Crook, son-in-law Clayton Crook and grandchildren James and Jeremy Crook of Lillington, North Carolina, Son Rhoderic Marshall, daughter-in-law Jodi Marshall and grandchild Rook Marshall of Catlett, Va.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Mrs. Marshall’s wonderful care givers and friends, all of the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski, Pulaski Assisted Living, Greenfield Reflections Assisted Living of Strasburg, Va., Blueridge Hospice of Winchester Va.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home in Pulaski, Va. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Pulaski, Va. on Saturday, November 12 at 11 a.m. with Dr. Olin Whitener officiating. Interment will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski, Va.

The family requests in lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the following: Daily Bread 408 N. Jefferson Va., Box 824 Pulaski, Va. 24301 Attention: Debbi Harrell.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va. 
]]>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:20:04 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2011/11/ida-denise-handy-miller.html Ida Denise Handy Miller, age 35 of Pulaski passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2011.

Born June 22, 1976 in Radford, she is the daughter of Rev. William Coy Handy & wife Ella Jane Handy and mother; Shelby Nester Handy. Her grandfather; Raymond Early Nester preceded her in death.

She is survived by her

Husband- John Miller – Pulaski,

Children- Rev. Cody Austin Akers – Dublin, Tiara Nicole Handy – Richmond, Daran Matthew Perkins – Pulaski, William Anthony Sal’lee Marshall – Radford.

Step-Daughter- Nellie Miller, Step-Son-John Douglas Miller,

Parents- Rev. William Coy Handy & wife, Ella Jane Handy – Dublin,

Shelby Nester Handy – Radford.

Step-Sister- Sarah Long Parlier – Dublin, Step-Brother- Phillip Randolph Long – Dublin.

Paternal Grandparents- Richard Handy – Pulaski, Helen Emanuel – Pulaski.

Maternal Grandmother- Elsie Nester – Radford. Great Grandmother- Mary Epperly-Dublin.

Aunts- Betty Blankenship & husband, Dale – Pulaski, Debbie Nicewander & husband, Gary – Parrott, VA.

Several special cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday at the Bower Funeral Home-Chapel, Pulaski. Interment will follow at the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm Saturday evening at the Bower Funeral Home-Pulaski. To send the family your online condolences, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com

Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the family. 
]]>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:19:20 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2011/11/ann-montague-foster-huff.htmlAnn Montague Foster Huff, age 88 of Pulaski, died peacefully Thursday morning November 3, 2011 at her residence.  She was born December 16, 1923 in Christiansburg, and was the daughter of the late Louise Hickok Foster and Paul H. Foster.  Ann was the ultimate volunteer for many decades in Pulaski, she was a past president of the Child Study Club and Junior Women’s Club, was a weekly volunteer with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile, Daily Bread, and veteran’s assistance programs.  She was a loyal and active member of the First United Methodist Church in Pulaski where she was an officer in the United Methodist Women and chairman of her circle, a member of the parsonage committee, and sang in the choir.  She also served on the New River Community College Foundation Board.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh White Huff, Jr. (H.W.), a brother, Paul H. Foster, Jr.  He is survived by a son:  Hugh White Huff, III and his wife Sheryl Richardson Huff, of Salem, and a daughter, Sarah Ann Huff of Columbus, North Carolina, granddaughters, Lindsay Huff Fedok and her husband Jason of Alexandria, Lauren Huff Bullen and her husband Charles of Roanoke, and grandson Hugh White Huff, IV (Chip) and his wife Brandy of Roanoke:  great-grandchildren;  Ryan Fedok, Adam Fedok, and Claire Bullen.  Also survived by a sister-in-law:  Sara Huff Tuck and her husband, Dr. Kenneth Tuck of Roanoke, and a niece, Elizabeth Foster of Thomasville, GA, and a nephew, Michael Foster of Christiansburg.  A graveside service will be held at the Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Virginia for family and friends with Norman Wilhoit officiating.  There will be no visitation at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the New River Community College Ann Huff Book Fund, an ongoing textbook endowment for deserving students in her honor.  Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com  Arrangements by Seagle Funeral Home, Pulaski.  540-980-1700 
]]>Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:36:42 -0800http://www.pcpatriot.com/2/post/2011/11/charles-ronald-scott.html Charles Ronald Scott

Charles Ronald Scott, 79, of Hillsville, Virginia died Thursday October 27, 2011 in the Virginia Veterans Care Center, Roanoke. He was born in Pulaski on October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late John Preston Scott and Hallie Swaim Scott. He was also preceded  in death by a brother, Donald Scott and wife, Betty Pamplin Scott. He was veteran of the US Navy. Charles had a quick wit, big heart and loved his family dearly.

Surviving are:

Daughter & Son-in-Law – Ronda & Randle Cregger

Grandson – Adam Cregger

Sister – Doris Hale

Nephew – Edward

Nieces – Cindy, Marcy and Lynne

Funeral services will be held Tuesday November 1, 2011 at 7 p.m. from Stevens Funeral chapel, Pulaski with D. C.R. Conner officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to the Virginia Veterans Care Center, 4550 Shenandoah Avenue N.W., Roanoke, Va. 24017.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.

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