Obituaries

Jonas Cole Cook

Jonas Cole Cook

Jul 3, 2025

Jonas Cole Cook, known fondly as J.C., passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family in Abingdon, Virginia. Born on July 29, 1938, in Drill, Virginia, to the late Walter Ranze Cook and Monnie Lou Hess Cook. J.C. lived a life characterized by commitment, and warmth.

For many years, J.C. dedicated himself...

Charles Byrd

Charles Byrd

Jul 2, 2025

Charles "Charlie" Byrd, age 87, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 after a brief illness at his home in Glade Spring, VA.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2025 at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m....

Betty A. Urbani

Betty A. Urbani

Jul 2, 2025

With family close by, Betty Annis Brittenham Urbani, known lovingly to everyone as “Granny”, peacefully passed away at the age of 95 years young. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She started each day reading her Bible until her eyesight failed.

Betty will be forever loved by her children, Tony (Diana) and Bonnie (Troy); grandchildren, Leslie, Brittany (Jason), and...

Jane Hester Cecil

Jane Hester Cecil

Jun 26, 2025

Jane Lyons Hester Cecil passed away peacefully from this earth on June 26, 2025, following an extended illness. She was surrounded by loving and cherished family and friends.

Jane was born on August 5, 1955 to Carl Wilson Hester and Kathleen Lyons Hester, of Fries, Virginia. She was always grateful to have been raised in this cozy town nestled on the...

Robert Scott Jones

Robert Scott Jones

Jun 24, 2025

Robert “Bob” Scott Jones passed very peacefully from his life on earth to eternal life on June 24, 2025, at Bristol Regional Medical Center with family at his side. Bob was born in Abingdon, VA on June 26, 1951. When he was six years old, his father, an engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation, moved his family to Lee...

Eugene Richard Adams

Eugene Richard Adams

Jun 23, 2025

Abingdon, VA – Eugene Richard Adams, age 60, passed on Monday, June 23, 2025, at his home. Eugene was born October 6, 1964, in Detroit, MI to Eugene and Evelyn Tyler Adams. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and a contractor for many years. Eugene is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Adams, and sister, Joyce Arledge.

He is survived...

Donald West Ayers

Donald West Ayers

Jun 22, 2025

Abingdon, VA - Donald West Ayers, age 86, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, June 22, 2025after an extended illness. He was born on October 9, 1938 in Floyd County, VA to Thomas (Cap) and Eva West Ayers. Don was a member of Victory Baptist Church. Don joined the Army after graduation, and became a military policeman, which...

Ruth Marie Denton Canter

Ruth Marie Denton Canter

Jun 22, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Ruth Marie Denton Canter on June 22, 2025. She was a beloved mother, nanny, cherished friend, and an amazing seamstress.

She was born on October 10, 1943, in Bristol, TN. Ruth was a seamstress for over 30 years and later secretary of the Virginia Highlands Airport for 25 years....

Bliss Mathews Brown

Bliss Mathews Brown

Jun 20, 2025

Bliss Mathews Brown was born in Richmond, Va. on August 22, 1944, to Mabel Earle Mathews and Gerald Raymond Mathews, who lived in Blackstone, Va., where Gerald was the Agricultural Agent for Nottoway County. They moved to Blacksburg, Va., when Bliss was age three where Gerald was a Professor of Agronomy at Virginia Tech and later held positions with both...

Larry Eugene Musick

Larry Eugene Musick

Jun 19, 2025

Larry Musick, age 80, passed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Abingdon, VA. Larry was a man that never met a stranger and had a heart of gold, and the best sense of humor. Some of Larry’s great upbringing came from growing up on his family farm.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Clitus and Beatrice Counts Musick, brothers...

Neel Rich

Neel Rich

Jun 18, 2025

Nolan Neel Rich passed away peacefully at his home on June 18, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1933, in Emporia, Virginia. When he was a child, his family moved to Bluefield, Virginia, where they lived with his maternal grandparents. Neel and his brother, Ervin, were raised on the family farm, learning a lot about farming which impacted Neel’s...

Ruth Dolinger Casey

Ruth Dolinger Casey

Jun 13, 2025

Ruth Dolinger Casey, age 99, passed on Friday, June 13, 2025, in Abingdon, VA. Ruth was a graduate of Bethel High School and was a member of Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church. She loved her cats, dogs and her and Tom’s “deer drives”.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Dolinger and Nannie Greenway Dolinger; spouse, Thomas Casey; siblings, Andy...

Joye Blackwell

Joye Blackwell

Jun 12, 2025

Joye Theresa Blackwell, age 86, went to be with the Lord on June 12, 2025.

She was born on May 20, 1939 to the late Lucky and Hazel Frye. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William “Billy” Blackwell; son Edward T. Blackwell; and two brothers, Lucky Frye, Jr. and Blake Frye.

Joye was a longtime...

Charlie Evans Street

Charlie Evans Street

Jun 12, 2025

Abingdon, VA – Charlie Evans Street, born June 2, 1922, and 103 years of age, passed on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Commonwealth Senior Living. Charlie was a native of Buchanan County, VA and had lived in Abingdon for the past 46 years. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran and served in the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII. His...

James Willis Wagner

James Willis Wagner

Jun 8, 2025

James Willis Wagner, age 86, passed on Sunday, June 9, 2025, in Abingdon, VA. He and his wife, Betty, lived in several places including Chilhowie, Glade Spring, and Kingsport for several years. James enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as being a member of the Abingdon Masonic Lodge #48 for many years.

James was preceded in death by his parents, William...

Amrutlal Ramabhai Patel

Amrutlal Ramabhai Patel

Jun 6, 2025

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the passing of Amrutlal Ramabhai Patel residing in Abingdon, VA on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the age of 84. Amrutlal Patel is survived by his wife, Parvatiben Patel, his three daughters, Nita Patel, Priya Makwana, and Riya Patel, and his six grandchildren, Aditya, Urvi, Sunny, Yash, Gopi,...

Willis Kiser

Willis Kiser

Jun 6, 2025

Willis Kiser, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, peacefully passed away on June 6, 2025, in Abingdon, Virginia. Born on September 25, 1934, in Haysi, Virginia, to the late Lonnie Kiser and Lillian Cleo McGlothlin Kiser. Willis led a life marked by kindness, warmth, and a deep commitment to his family and community.

Willis had a humble beginning, driving a...

Joseph Franklin Richardson

Joseph Franklin Richardson

Jun 4, 2025

Joe Richardson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, peacefully went to be with the Lord on June 4, 2025.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Deborah Richardson, and their three daughters: Kimberly Pierson and her husband, Matt; Jonae Davis and her husband, Brett; and Heather Wilkie and her fiancé, Francis.

Joe was a proud and loving Paw to...

David Leo Blankenship

David Leo Blankenship

Jun 1, 2025

Abingdon, VA – David Leo Blankenship, age 70, passed on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Johnston Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. David was born in Grundy, VA and raised in Mouthcard, KY. He lived in Chicago as a young adult, moved back to Kentucky for several years, then relocated to Abingdon, VA in 1988. David was a truckdriver for...

Cynthia Deborah Fields

Cynthia Deborah Fields

May 26, 2025

Cynthia Deborah Fields (Drushal), age 64, of Bristol, VA, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025. Born on July 16, 1960, Cynthia had a deep passion for creativity. She excelled in arts and crafts, especially crocheting and scrapbooking, earning recognition and awards at various fairs and competitions for her remarkable talents.

Above all, Cynthia was a devoted...