John H. Dempsey

John H. Dempsey, 74, of Mt. View in Hickory, N.C., went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, March 17, 2010, after a long illness.

Born Aug. 23, 1935 in Bald Knob, W.Va., he was the son of the late Charlie and Nervie Osborne Dempsey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his

sister, Joy Lucas, brothers: Troy and Roy Dempsey;

stepbrother, Bobby Dempsey and stepsister, Alma Petry, all of West Virginia.

He was a disabled member of United Mine Workers and member and deacon of Grace & Truth Missionary Baptist Church in Icard, N.C.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Dempsey, lovingly devoted to him for 52 years; daughter, Melissa “Missie” Blevins and grandchildren Ashton and Zach of Hickory; son John “Joe” Dempsey and wife Debbie and grandchildren Megan, Miranda and Elijah of Icard, N.C.; a sister, Eva White of Greenwood, W.Va. and a long list of dear friends and extended family. In life and in death, he taught us and loved us so well.

Funeral services were held on March 20 at the chapel at

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and his son and Pastor Joe Dempsey of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Drexel, N.C. and Pastor Joe Green conducted the service. The body was laid to rest at Bald Knob Cemetery, fulfilling a promise to be buried next to his father, “Poppy.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s memory to Palliative Care Center & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of John H. Dempsey.

Freddie Joe Tackett Jr.

In loving memory of Freddie Joe Tackett Jr. of Madison, born March 17, 1980 and went to be with the Lord on March 21, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his father, Freddie Joe Tackett Sr.; grandfather, Leonard Tackett; grandmother, Opal Pauley; and grandfather, Estes Daniel Pauley.

He is

survived by his mother, Barbara Jean Tackett of Madison; two sisters, Mary Ann Bell and family of Danville and Pauline Jean Bell and family of Madison; step sister, Andrea Maxley of Cross Lanes;

grandmother, Pauline Emmer Tackett of Hewett; his companion, Andy Leon Breedlove of Danville; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He will be missed dearly by everyone and will always be with us in our hearts.

We love you dearly.

Funeral services were held on March 25 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville with Pastor Ronnie Gibson officiating. Burial followed at Family Gardens on Low Gap Road in Madison.

Dora Jo Byrnside

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of our dear mother, Dora Jo Chambers Byrnside. She died peacefully at her residence in Maryville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.

Mother, 90 years young, was born in Danville, on Dec. 19, 1919, and was the daughter of the late Albert B. and Ella Hopkins Chambers. Her sibling, Julia C. Ball, also predeceased her. Other family predeceasing her include her husband, Fred L.; son, Robert A.; and son-in-law, John B. Thompson.

Mother graduated from Scott High School and Marshall College with the class of ’41. She began her career as a home economist, employed by Appalachian Power Company, in Logan. A military veteran, she enlisted in the U.S Army (WAC) during World War II and proudly served four years in the South Pacific arena. Following the war, Mother and our father, a career naval officer, were married in 1946. They traveled extensively, living in many states and abroad, due to Daddy’s military transfers. After his retirement from the Navy, they settled “back home” in Danville, W.Va., in 1955, where

Mother enjoyed life at home raising her four children. The majority of Mother’s teaching career, which began after all

children were in school, was spent as librarian at Scott High School, where she nurtured, counseled, and endeared herself to many, many students throughout the years. Her dedication to her chosen profession and the betterment of all led to the fulfillment of her lifelong dream of making a difference and enriching the lives of others. Many will remember Mother for her quick wit and never ending desire to help everyone. Following her retirement from teaching in 1986, she lived in Belleair Bluffs, Fla., and then Maryville, Tenn.

She was a member of Madison United Methodist Church, the Boone County Retired Teachers Association, and Madison Chapter 121 of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a lifelong member of the Madison VFW.

Mother is survived by us, her children, Fred, and wife, Emma, of Danville, W.Va., Ellajo Thompson of Knoxville, Tenn., and Lois Byrnside of Dunedin, Fla. Her grandchildren and

great-grandchildren include Russell Byrnside, wife, Lara, and daughter, Madeline, of Georgia, Neil Byrnside, wife, Brandy, and children, Blair, Lauren and Lincoln, of West Virginia, Joelle Mitchell, husband, Harvey, and children, Quinn and Amelia, of Kentucky, Byron Walker, wife, Shannon, and son, Julian of Texas, Juliane Burdette, husband, Jeremy, and daughters, Olivia and Emma, of Alabama, Dr. Valerie Byrnside and fiancé, Mike, of Colorado and Andrea Hill, husband, Keith, and son, Cameron, of Virginia.

Mother’s life was an example to others of her love of God, family, friends, church, and country. We will always love her, cherish our memories of her, and forever hold dear the words she lived by “…for the greatest of these is Love.”

There will be a memorial graveside service accompanied by a VFW military service Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m. at Boone Memorial Cemetery.

Following the service there will be a gathering of family and friends for fellowship at Riverview Country Club. All are invited to attend.

Click Funeral Home’s Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike, Farragut, Tenn., is serving the Byrnside family.

Kevin Michael Adkins

Kevin Michael “Creeker” Adkins, 33, of Bull Creek passed away on March 20, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herman and Bertha Adkins of Bull Creek and Hugie and Oreda Ferrell of Madison.

He is survived by his parents Jimmy and Patricia Adkins of Bull Creek; brother and sister-in-law, Kennith Adkins and London McCray of Bull Creek; niece Alisha Adkins of Jesse and

girlfriend, Sirena Baisden of Chapmanville.

A memorial service was held on March 25 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Kevin’s memory to Highland Hospital Indigent Fund, 1418 MacCorkle Avenue, Charleston, WV 25303.

James Combs

James Combs, 82, of Bloomingrose passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope for Haiti's Children, P.O. Box 936, Sugarland TX 77487-0936. Your generosity will make a lasting difference in the lives of children in need.

Funeral services were held on March 24 at the Church of Christ, Bloomingrose, with Minister Johnny Steele officiating. Burial followed at Pineview Cemetery, Orgas. Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, is in charge of arrangements.

Teresa Lynn Cook

Teresa Lynn Cook, 54, of Hewett passed away March 20, 2010, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.

Funeral services were held on March 24 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Tom Bias officiating. Burial followed at Memory Gardens, Madison.

Everett Canada Roberts

Everett Canada Roberts, 77, of Bim went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 21, 2010.

Funeral services were held on March 25 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Don Austin, the Rev. Joe Ballard and the Rev. Allen Friel officiating. Burial followed at Memory Gardens, Madison.

Cecil H. Thompson

Cecil H. Thompson of Julian died March 20, 2010. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at the Thompson

residence. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is in charge of arrangements.

Dallas P. “Dee” Aleshire

Dallas P. “Dee” Aleshire, 54, of Madison passed away March 21, 2010, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.

Funeral services were held on March 23 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Walter Gore officiating.

Norman O. Bentley

Norman O. Bentley, 71, of Danville died March 24, 2010.

Funeral services were held on March 26 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville. Burial followed at Gomez Cemetery, Uneeda.

Imogene B. Jarrett

Imogene B. Jarrett, 86, of Ameagle died March 23, 2010.

Funeral services were held on March 26 at at Ameagle Freewill Baptist Church. Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, is in charge of arrangements.

Velvie M. Sanders

Velvie M. Sanders, 90, of Seth died March 24, 2010.

Funeral services were held at a later date. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is in charge of arrangements.

Archibald Carlyle Griffith Jr.

Archibald Carlyle Griffith Jr., 84, of Madison passed away March 21, 2010.

A memorial service was held on March 27 at Madison Baptist Church.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Madison Baptist Church. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is in charge of arrangements.

Victoria S. Griffith

Victoria S. Griffith, 60, of Georgetown, South Carolina, formerly of Bloomingrose, passed into her eternal rest Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Tidelands Community Hospice House, Georgetown, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

A memorial service was held on March 22 at Georgetown Church of Christ, in front of Kensington Elementary.

Funeral services for Mrs. Griffith were held on March 27 at Sherman Elementary School Comfort, with Minister Fred Ady of Georgetown Church of Christ officiating. Burial followed at Pineview Cemetery, Orgas.

Funeral service arrangements are entrusted to and directed by Handley Funeral Home, Danville.

Jackson E. Woodard

Jackson E. Woodard, 62, of Bloomingrose passed away on March 23, 2010.

Funeral services were held on March 25 at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church, Bloomingrose, with Pastor Bart Elkins officiating. Burial followed at Bloomingrose Cemetery, Bloomingrose. Arrangements are by Handley Funeral Home, Danville.

Mary L. Sigmon

Mary L. Sigmon, 62, of Bloomingrose passed away March 24, 2010, in Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston.

Funeral services were held on March 27 at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Roger Gogas officiating. Burial followed at Danville Memorial Park, Danville.

Richard Douglas Meadows

Richard Douglas Meadows, 68, of Madison passed away March 25, 2010, at Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison.

Funeral services were held on March 28 at Handley Funeral Home with the Rev. Roger McCauley, the Rev. Pete Jarrell and Pastor David Jones. Burial followed with military graveside rites by Daniel Boone VFW Post 5578 at Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spencer Chapel United Methodist Church, Hewett, WV 25108.