David Rife

GRUNDY, Va. – David Nicholas Rife, 27 years of age, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at Buchanan General Hospital from a brief illness.
Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of Preston (Red) Rife, Roseann, Va., and Brenda Fleenor Ratliff, Grundy. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and attended New Hope Christian Church. He was a graduate of Grundy Senior High School Class of 1997.
Mr. Rife attended Southwest Virginia Community College and graduated from Skip Barber Racing School. He had a great love for art, music and nature and was a gifted writer.
David is survived by his mother, Brenda Fleenor Ratliff, Grundy; his father, Preston (Red) Rife, Roseann; one sister, Megan Rife, Richmond; maternal grandmother, Lila Fleenor, Grundy; one uncle, Johnny and wife Barbara Raines Fleenor, Grundy; one cousin, Jordan Fleenor, Grundy; and special pet cat, Gray C.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John Fleenor Jr., and paternal grandparents, Glen Rife and Maggie Rife Toney.
Funeral services for David Nicholas Rife will be conducted Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Evangelists Bill Neeley and Mike Rife officiating, with entombment to follow in Mountain Rest Mausoleum at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va.
Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Thursday at 5 p.m., with a song service at 7 p.m.
Active pallbearers will be Gary Lester, Kenneth Rowlett, Dathan Vanover, Nick Hutchinson, Jordan Fleenor, John Hutchinson, David Cecil Jr., Sid Owens, Jessica Vanover, Jill Stiles, Tabitha Hawley, Jonathan Ratliff, Shane Keen, Brandon Dellinger and Chad Musick.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Cecil Sr., Dr. J.P. Sutherland Jr., Steve Hagy, Herb Fields, David Matney, Rickey Horn, David Ratliff, William Keen, Greg Rife, Roger Rife and Bobby Reece.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.