Recent Obituaries and Guest Books

Walter T. Owens BRISTOL, Tenn. Committal services for Walter T. Owens will be on Friday at 2 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN. Online condolences may be registered at www.Weaverfuneralhome.net. Walter T. Owens, age 90, passed away on May 14, 2013, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Arrangements have been made with Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

William "Bill" "Randy" Randall Pennington Sr. MARION, Va. William "Bill" "Randy" Randall Pennington Sr., passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at the age of 61, in New Orleans, La. He was born in Smyth County, Va., to the late William Washington Pennington and Edith Mae Waddell Sole. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce Daniels and Bobby Pennington. He was raised during his teen years by the late Hallie Welch, whom he adored and will now meet in heaven. He was the beloved husband of Diane C Pennington; brother of Brenda Dillenger (Bob); father of Frank (Brenda) and Randall (Christie) Pennington; grandfather of Zachary Borlik, Troy, Ainsley, Devin and Carissa Pennington; stepfather of Tina Harrold and Ray Millet; and step-grandfather of Ricky and Alyssa Harrold. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013, from the First Church of God in Atkins with Pastor Nouhad Melki officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the church. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley's Funeral Home of Marion is serving the family.

James C. Poston DANTE, Va. The funeral service for James C. Poston will be conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in the Combs Funeral Service chapel, with the Rev. Michael Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylor Family cemetery, Reeds Valley Road. Serving the family as pallbearers will be family and friends. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family online at www.combsfuneralservice.com James C. Poston, of West Dante, age 44, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, May 16, 2013, in Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service, 291 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444, is serving the Poston family.

James C. Poston DANTE, Va. James C. Poston, of West Dante, age 44, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, May 16, 2013, in Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. James was born in Dante on April 14, 1969, a son of the late James C. and Brenda Lee McCoy Poston. He was a disabled employee of B. Williams Resources and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Larry D. Poston. Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Eunice E. Poston; one step-daughter, Stacy Brown, Castlewood, Va.; one brother, Ricky L. Poston and his fianc‚e, Jamie Lawson, Castlewood; and niece, Brooklyn M. Poston; four grandchildren, Rodney T. Brown, Samantha A. Brown, Riley Holbrook and Ava D. Crabtree. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in the Combs Funeral Service chapel, with the Rev. Michael Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylor Family cemetery, Reeds Valley Road. Serving the family as pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013, at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family online at www.combsfuneralservice.com Combs Funeral Service, 291 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444, is serving the Poston family.

Mary Jane Poston Finney MARION, Va. Mary Jane Poston Finney age 75, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013, at her home. She was born in W.Va., on July 27, 1937, to the late Harry and Beulah Gross Poston. The Lord called her to her heavenly home to be with family members who preceded her in death, her father and mother; her sisters, Hazel Jones and Letta Evans; her brothers, John A. Poston, Harold "Giggs" Poston, Charles J. Poston and Roy Ran Poston; three infant sisters; and two infant brothers. She was employed at the Rural Retreat Garment, Buster Brown in Chilhowie and had retired from Merillat Corporation after 20 years of service. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for 40 years. She is survived by one special son, Everett Finney and wife Lisa; one special grandson, Keith Finney; step-grandchildren, Andy Hale and wife Angela, Wesley Walters and wife Crystal; step-great-grandchildren, Jaden and Jared Hale, Stella Marie Walters, Mildred Null and husband Gordon H. Null; her special caregivers, Rachel Bise and husband John L. Bise, and Alice Neel and husband James Neel; sister-in-law, Carolene Poston; and several nieces and nephews. A host of cousins, friends and neighbors. At Mary's request there will be a special service held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013, from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with Pastor Gary Trout, Pastor Kenny Price, Pastor Mike Sage and the Rev. Nelson Wright officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Flowers will be appreciated, or donations can be made to the , 1599 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329; The American Heart & Lung Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231; The Marion Lifesaving Crew, PO Box 784, Marion, VA 24354; or to a . Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley's Funeral Home of Marion is serving the family of Ms. Finney.

Eugene L. Rasnake LEBANON, Va. A graveside service for Eugene L. Rasnake will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 24, at Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, with military graveside rites conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may to made to Cleveland Lifesaving Crew, P.O. Box 129, Cleveland, Virginia 24225. Condolences may be made to the Rasnake family at www.owensfuneralservice.com Eugene L. Rasnake, 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Maple Grove Healthcare Center in Lebanon. Owens Funeral Service, 7 Tate Street, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements.

Eugene L. Rasnake LEBANON, Va. Eugene L. Rasnake, 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Maple Grove Healthcare Center in Lebanon. Born Sept. 27, 1917, in Cleveland, Va., he was a son of the late Arnold and Martha Murdach Rasnake. He was an U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired from Appalachian Power Company. A gentle, kind-hearted person, he loved visiting with friends and taking care of his dog and cats. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Sammy Lou Powers Rasnake; two brothers, Edward L. Rasnake and John W. Rasnake; and two sisters, Ruby Rasnake Richardson and Rausie Rasnake Janosko. Survivors include his brother-in-law and wife, Jakie and Brenda Breeding of Lebanon; one brother, Arnold Rasnake Jr. of Kingsport, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Anne Townsend and to the nurses and staff of Maple Grove Healthcare Center for their excellent care. Serving as pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Kemper Gilmer III, Ed Fischer, and Odell Kiser. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at Owens Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Duane Musick and Brother Larry Rasnake officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 24, at Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, with military graveside rites conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may to made to Cleveland Lifesaving Crew, P.O. Box 129, Cleveland, Virginia 24225. Condolences may be made to the Rasnake family at www.owensfuneralservice.com Owens Funeral Service, 7 Tate Street, Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Bettye Jane Elswick Richardson Bettye Richardson passed away peacefully on May 15 at home with her family. Bettye was 82 years old. Born on March 5, 1931, Bettye was the daughter of John Matney and Annie Keiza Elswick of Richlands, Va. Bettye was born in Richlands, and the youngest of four children. Her father was the manager of a small commissary store for local coal mining families and her mother was a school teacher and later a homemaker. Bettye was a graduate of Richlands High School. Following graduation, Bettye moved to Richmond, Va. She quickly found employment with the Virginia State Police as a dispatcher, where she worked for several years. It was there that she met her beloved husband, Vance, of 58 years. Vance was also working as a dispatcher, and later became a Virginia State Trooper. Bettye has resided for most of her life in Lebanon, Va. In addition to being a homemaker, she also did bookkeeping work for various businesses in town. Bettye was a long time member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church, which she joined as a young child. In addition to her parents, Bettye is preceded in death by her loving husband, Vance; a sister, Ann Hicks; and two brothers, Edward and Shields Elswick. Remaining are a loving daughter, Becky Capelli and husband, Robby; two grandchildren, Joey Capelli of Mechanicsville, and Stephanie Capelli of King William, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Natalie; and several nieces and nephews including Nancy Barton of Lebanon, and Jeff (Buzz) Brown of Kingsport, Tenn. Bettye will best be remembered by her loving kindness and the strength, wisdom and leadership that she provided for her family. Bettye was a quiet person, but actually was the one who provided the most guidance and strength to the family. The family will always hold her close in their hearts for what she gave to them. The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses at Russell County Medical Center, especially the ICU and Sharon Street for providing both attentive and loving care and kindness during Bettye's illness, Also thanks to Home Nursing Co. of Lebanon that made it possible for the family to provide care for Bettye at home. Special thanks goes out to Megan Wade, Katie Miller, Nichole Horton and Lisa Silcox for the care and support they provided to not only Bettye, but the entire family. A private family service will be held at the Russell Memorial Mausoleum on Friday, May 17 at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Mary Davis presiding. Condolences can be sent to the family through Combs Funeral Home, who are in charge of the arrangements.

Robert "Bobby" Dean Ritchie GLADE SPRING, Va. The committal service and interment for Robert "Bobby" Dean Ritchie will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Widener, Bill Baker, Bill McCall, Travis Ritchie, Chris Ritchie, Johnny Childress, Joe Childress, Herbie DeBusk, Cecil McVey. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to , P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Online condolences for the family may be sent and a memorial tribute may be viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com Robert "Bobby" Dean Ritchie, age 75, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Va. Mr. Ritchie and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Avenue, Damascus, VA.(276) 475-3631.

Robert "Bobby" Dean Ritchie GLADE SPRING, Va. Robert "Bobby" Dean Ritchie, age 75, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Va. He was born in Damascus, Va., on Nov. 13, 1937, a son of the late George Washington Ritchie and Lorena Neil Parris Ritchie. He was a resident of Glade Spring for several years. He retired from Brunswick/Marion Composites after 30 years of service. While working there he developed many lifelong friends. He and his wife also ran the R&W Grocery in Widener Valley for many years. He enjoyed volunteering to umpire at the little league baseball games. He also enjoyed dancing and going to bluegrass/ country music jam. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Pat Ritchie; two sons, Mike Ritchie of Chilhowie, Va., and Tony (Laurie) Ritchie of Douglasville, Ga.; brother, Melvin (Nadine) Ritchie of Meadowview, Va.; two granddaughters, Tonya Elliott and Megan (Brandon) Thompson; two grandsons, Chris Ritchie and Travis Ritchie; great grandson, Aidan Elliott; two great granddaughters, Abby Elliott and Ally Elliott; special friends, Marsha Ritchie, Ricky Hall, Cecil McVey, and Vickie Lester; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the residence of Pat Ritchie at any other times. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, in the Riverview Chapel at Garrett Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Ritchie officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Widener, Bill Baker, Bill McCall, Travis Ritchie, Chris Ritchie, Johnny Childress, Joe Childress, Herbie DeBusk, Cecil McVey. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to , P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Online condolences for the family may be sent and a memorial tribute may be viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com Mr. Ritchie and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Avenue, Damascus, VA.(276) 475-3631.