1923
Berton
2009
Berton F. DeBusk Jr.
March 31, 1923 — October 1, 2009
Berton F. DeBusk, Jr., age 86, 251 Morningside Dr., Abingdon, Virginia, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2009, at his home. He was born March 31, 1923 at Clinchburg, Virginia, son of Reverend Berton F. DeBusk, Sr. and Rosa Simcox DeBusk. He was a graduate of Rich Valley High School and attended Emory and Henry College.
His civilian life was interrupted by 3 ½ years of military service during WWII. After basic training the remainder of his time was served on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Quincy. His tour of active duty included participation in both the European and Pacific Theaters, specifically the Invasion of Normandy. The ship had the distinguished honor of transporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference for a meeting with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.
Mr. DeBusk owned and operated DeBusk Furniture and Appliance Company and DeBusk Custom Drapery for over 40 years. He was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church for the past 60 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother Dewey E. DeBusk of Clearwater, Florida. Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Freeda Goodman DeBusk; son, Mark DeBusk, and daughter, Kristi DeBusk Massie, both of Abingdon, Virginia; two very special grandchildren, Meagan Yarber of Blacksburg, Virginia, and Ross Massie, of Abingdon, Virginia; four sisters: Stella Stephon and Louise Taylor, both of Abingdon, Virginia; Margaret Jackson of Bristol, Virginia and Charlotte Yarbrough and husband Joe, of Bristol, Tennessee; one brother: Donald DeBusk and wife Barbara, of Bristol, Tennessee; a very special sister- in- law Betty Owen and husband Gene, of Bristol, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Bolden and Dee Dee Boyd for continued support over the years, and to caregivers Tonda Thomas, of Home Instead, and Karen, Margaret and Rebecca of Wellmont Hospice.
Visitation for friends and family will be at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, Whites Mill Road, Abingdon, Virginia, Saturday, October 3, from 6:15 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. with funeral services to follow at 8:00 P.M. at the church. Reverend Donald Smith, Pastor will be officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Highlands Honor Guard at Knollkreg Memorial Park on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 3pm. Pallbearers will be Ross Massie, Tom Russ, Jim Fern, Ed Ashley, Clinton Williams and Boldin Boyd. B.F.'s Navy buddies and dear friends since WWII, Clarence Fuller, Harris Hammersmith, J.P. McCoy, Tony Malinero, Jack McCarren and James Boone will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In addition to flowers, memorials may be made to Holston Home for Children, c/o Rev. Charles Hutchins, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744, or to the Salvation Army, 137 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., PO Box 887, Bristol, TN 37621.
His civilian life was interrupted by 3 ½ years of military service during WWII. After basic training the remainder of his time was served on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Quincy. His tour of active duty included participation in both the European and Pacific Theaters, specifically the Invasion of Normandy. The ship had the distinguished honor of transporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference for a meeting with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.
Mr. DeBusk owned and operated DeBusk Furniture and Appliance Company and DeBusk Custom Drapery for over 40 years. He was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church for the past 60 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother Dewey E. DeBusk of Clearwater, Florida. Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Freeda Goodman DeBusk; son, Mark DeBusk, and daughter, Kristi DeBusk Massie, both of Abingdon, Virginia; two very special grandchildren, Meagan Yarber of Blacksburg, Virginia, and Ross Massie, of Abingdon, Virginia; four sisters: Stella Stephon and Louise Taylor, both of Abingdon, Virginia; Margaret Jackson of Bristol, Virginia and Charlotte Yarbrough and husband Joe, of Bristol, Tennessee; one brother: Donald DeBusk and wife Barbara, of Bristol, Tennessee; a very special sister- in- law Betty Owen and husband Gene, of Bristol, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Bolden and Dee Dee Boyd for continued support over the years, and to caregivers Tonda Thomas, of Home Instead, and Karen, Margaret and Rebecca of Wellmont Hospice.
Visitation for friends and family will be at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, Whites Mill Road, Abingdon, Virginia, Saturday, October 3, from 6:15 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. with funeral services to follow at 8:00 P.M. at the church. Reverend Donald Smith, Pastor will be officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Highlands Honor Guard at Knollkreg Memorial Park on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 3pm. Pallbearers will be Ross Massie, Tom Russ, Jim Fern, Ed Ashley, Clinton Williams and Boldin Boyd. B.F.'s Navy buddies and dear friends since WWII, Clarence Fuller, Harris Hammersmith, J.P. McCoy, Tony Malinero, Jack McCarren and James Boone will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In addition to flowers, memorials may be made to Holston Home for Children, c/o Rev. Charles Hutchins, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744, or to the Salvation Army, 137 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., PO Box 887, Bristol, TN 37621.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Berton F. DeBusk Jr., please visit our flower store.
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