James Church

James Banner Church VANSANT, Va. James Banner Church, 85 years of age, passed away Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010, in the Maple Grove Healthcare Center, Lebanon, Va. Born in Athens, W.Va., May 21, 1925, he was the son of the late Kennel Church and Rose Nichols Church. Banner was a World War II veteran who proudly served his country for two and half years in the U.S. Army. He was awarded a Bronze Star for Bravery and he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal after being wounded in Italy. He was honorably discharged in July 1945, at the age of 20. He worked at Margaret Ann Coal Company in the fifties and later worked for Island Creek Coal as a heavy equipment operator and tractor trailer driver. He retired after 30 plus years in the mining industries having last worked for United Coal Company. He was baptized at the age of 80 by evangelist Michael Trent and was a member of the Church of Christ. Banner loved Buchanan County, was an avid Raw Wrestling Fan but most of all he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spending time with them. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Plumer Looney Church; sisters, Gertie Bucknam, Marie Linkus, Florence "Flossie" Wildermuth; brothers, Frank and Carl Church. He is survived by four daughters, Joyce Perkins and husband Kenneth of Abingdon, Va., Kathy Crigger and husband George of Vansant, Dreama Viers and husband Josh of Abingdon, Tami Hess and husband Tim of Grundy, Va.; two sons, Danny Church and wife Linda of Birmingham, Ala., Donnie Church of Johnson City, Tenn.; two sisters, Suby Ratliff of Grundy, and Elizabeth Strom of Asheville, N.C.; special brother-in-law, Benny Ratliff of Grundy. He was also survived by eight grandchildren, J.K. Perkins, Cary Perkins, Bill Crigger, Tom Crigger, Dan Church, David Scammell, Nicole Viers, Lynsi Viers; six great- grandchildren, Jace Perkins, Evan Perkins, Alayna Crigger, Anna Kate Church, Carson Church, Braelyn Scammell; and four step-great-grandchildren, Chase Jessup, Brennan Eggleston, Garrett Messer, Tyler Messer. Funeral services for James Banner Church will be conducted Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, with evangelist Mike Rife and evangelist Clyde George officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be: Hearl Shortridge, Clint Ratliff, Jerry Matney, Allen Blaylock, Benny Ratliff, Jerry Smith, Kenneth Perkins, George Crigger, Josh Viers, Tim Hess, Dr Brad Vandyke, Anthony Church, Willard Hess and nursing staff of Maple Grove Health Care Center. The family will receive friends at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy after 6 p.m. Monday, evening service will be held at 7 p.m.. Full military rites will be conducted at the funeral home following the funeral by Childs Gentry Post No. 7360 of the VFW. Memorial condolences may be e-mailed to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com The family of James Banner Church have entrusted the care of their loved one to Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy.