Emery Birchfield Horn

HURLEY, Va. — Emery Birchfield Horn, 92, of Hurley, Va., passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Buchanan General Hospital following a brief illness.Born March 24, 1916 at Paynesville, W.Va., he was the son of the late James Henry and Mary Lester Horn. He was a retired water well driller and had spent most of his adult life in construction in Buchanan County. Emery was honored to serve his country as a Navy Seabee in the 13th Battalion during World War II in the Pacific arena. He was a 32 degree Mason and Shriner of the Kazim Temple in Roanoke, Va. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans and American Legion. He was a member of the Grundy Baptist Church and attended Blackey Baptist Church for over 21 years.Emery was very active throughout his life and enjoyed many hobbies including traveling and reading. His many travels resulted in life-long friends who also enjoyed his love of life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Horn; three brothers, Alva, Miles and Ballard Horn; six sisters, Linnie Kennedy, Sarah Kennedy, Lora Horn, Ella Davis, Ida Joyce and Stella Lambert. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.Survivors include his wife, Edith Hughes Horn of Hurley, Va.; two daughters, Gail Smith of Roswell, Ga. and Mrs. Charles Mack (Kay) Ratliff of Grundy, Va.; granddaughter, Sarah Michelle Church of Richmond, Va.; special stepson and family, Gary Hughes and wife, Pat of Home Creek, Va.; step-grandchildren, Brooke Owens and Trace Hughes. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.Funeral services for Emery Birchfield Horn will be held Friday, May 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Virginia Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Ancil Childress, the Reverend Willard Sturgeon and Evangelist Mike Rife officiating with burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va.Friends called after 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. A song service and Masonic Rites were held at 7 p.m. A service will be held today (Thursday) at 7 p.m.Pallbearers will be Trey Adkins, Jimmy Joyce, Jimmy Davis, Gary Hughes, Van Davis, Tommy Joyce, J.D. Kennedy, Vaughn Horn, Roy Horn and Jake Parsons.Honorary pallbearers will be Elmo Kennedy, Austin Kennedy, Harold, Hassel and Willard Horn, Trace Hughes, Jeff Scott, Sambo Adkins and Men of the Blackey Baptist Church.Military graveside service will be conducted by John Ratliff Post #164 of the American Legion.Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. is in charge of arrangements.To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com