Patrick Robinson Jr.

BRISTOL, Va. — Patrick Henry Robinson Jr., known as “P.H.,” passed from this earthly life and on to eternal life and peace on March, 28, 2011 following a brief illness.

He was born on July 6, 1916 in Bristol, Va., and was grateful to God for letting him live for 94 years. He graduated from the old Douglass High School in 1934.
He earned his funeral director license in 1948. In 1953, he entered the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1954. In 1955, his funeral home was incorporated as Robinson Mortuary located in Bristol, Va. In 1982, he became co-owner of Robinson Funeral Services, Inc., in Kingsport.
His personal and professional motto was: In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6. He grew up in the Lee Street Baptist Church and was a faithful member of the church for 86 years. He trustingly served the church as a deacon and usher, superintendent of the Sunday School, chairman of the Trustee Board and vice-president of the Lee Street Community Child Care Center. Other affiliations included: Member of the Jannie Hammitt Home, Organizer and Founder of the Orion Club (President for five years), member of the Macedonia Lodge #85 F&M Masons. Some of his community service included: member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, member of the Kiwanis Club (including vice-president), chaplain and life-member the Bristol Boys and Girls Club and founding member of its Honors Board. Over the years he has received many awards for his service including: Man of the Year and Volunteer of the Year from the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, the Zella Moore Honor Award, the George Hixson Fellowship Honor and 41 years of perfect attendance award from the Kiwanis Club. In 2003, he was presented the Recognition Award for Long and Dedicated service to the community by the Bristol Virginia City Council.
Throughout his long life, he was a role model, and a beacon of light to all whom he encountered.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick Henry and Ida White Robinson; loving wife, Bettie Lacy Robinson of 58 years; brother, Charles Frank Robinson; and sister, Rosa Etta Hathaway.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Frank Robinson, Sr.; three daughters, Dr. Maisah (Patricia) Robinson-Smith, Atlanta, Ga., Dr. Ida Robinson-Backmon, Peoria, Ariz. and Ms. Bettina A. Robinson, Douglasville, Ga.; two sons-in law, Mr. Eugene Backmon and Dr. Antar Smith; sister-in-law, Mrs. Eva Harvey, New York City; devoted friend, Mrs. Jewel Bell; six grandchildren, including Eric Robinson of Bristol, Tenn., who was close to his heart; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives.
A celebration of life for Patrick Henry Robinson Jr. will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lee Street Baptist Church, Bristol, Va., with Dr. W.A. Johnson officiating. The body will lay in repose, beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Bristol, Va.
Pallbearers will be deacons of Lee Street Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be the Kiwanis Club of Bristol, funeral directors of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, the Orion Club and Dr. Grat Correll.
Flower bearers will be deaconesses of Lee Street Baptist Church and the Paramount Club.
E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.raclarkfuneralservice.com.
Patrick Henry Robinson Jr., and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service, Inc. 423-764-8584.

Carol Mae Releford

TEMPLE, Ga. — Carol Mae Releford, Aug. 26, 1965 – March 15, 2011, went home to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with Lupus. Carol passed away peacefully at her home in Temple, Ga., with her family by her side.

Carol was born and raised in Kingsport before settling in Temple, Ga. She was born the daughter of the late Ruby J. Pierce and Billy Saucers. She was a woman of great faith.

Carol will forever be remembered by her husband Frankie Releford, her loving sisters, Betsy Tompkins of Kingsport,
Susan Beard of Atlanta, Ga., Hedda Beard of Temple, Ga.; devoted
Beard and brothers, Joseph James Beard, both of Kingsport; beloved children, Sanchez Releford of Kings- port, Alloah Releford, Charmaine Releford and Faheem Releford, all of Temple, Ga.; treasured grandchildren, Kaban and Keelen Releford, Imani and Eric Releford; along with a special auntie, more like a sister, Daisy Pierce; and uncles, Willie Joe and Timothy Pierce; and her precious nephews and nieces; as well as a countless of other family and friends who were blessed to know her.

Carol sang like an angel and loved being with her family, loved her friends and deeply enjoyed watching her beloved grandchildren.

Carol Mae Releford touched the lives of many people with her love and generosity, and maintained her trademark kindness and songs of joy all the way throughout her life.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life during a memorial service on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Full Gospel Mission Church on East Sevier Ave.

Please contact family for donations and for further information at (423) 340-6692.

John Edwards III

KINGSPORT — Mr. John Edwards III, 66, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (March 22, 2011), at his home with his family and his loyal companions, his dogs, Samson and Eve, by his side.
Mr. Edwards was a member of Lee Street Baptist Church, Bristol, Va. He retired from Northeast State. John served in the U.S. Navy, served a tour of duty in Desert Storm and retired from the Naval Reserve. John enjoyed being on the golf course until his health no longer permitted. He also served as president of the Douglass High School Alumni of Bristol, Va.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Jeanette Edwards; father, Mr. John Edwards Jr.; sister, Mrs. Barbara A. Edwards; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben (Eva) Gammon.
John leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, his two sons; his devoted caretaker, Mr. John (Scotty) Edwards and Mr. William (Billy) Fugate; a special friend and the mother of his children, Mrs. Charlyne Edwards; aunt, Mrs. Josephine Grudger, Decatur, Ga.; and a host of other loving relatives and friends; his golfing partners, Mr. Vernon Smith, the Rev. James Whiteside and Alex Hall; co-workers of Warriors Path Golf Club.
The family also would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for the care and dedicated service they provided for their loved one.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of service on Friday at Lee Street Baptist Church, 1 W. Mary St., Bristol, Va .
Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Dr. W.A. Johnson officiating.
The interment will follow at V.A. National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. Military rites will be conducted by D.A.V. Honor Guard Chapter #40.
Mr. John Edwards III and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service Inc. (423) 245-4971 and (423) 764-8584.
www.raclarkfuneralservice.com

Irene Shoemaker

GATE CITY, Va. — Irene Shoemaker, 88, Gate City, Va., passed away Saturday (March 12, 2011) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Irene was born in Tazewell County, Va., on July 4, 1922, to the late Jim and Nannie Johnson. It was in Tazewell County, Va., where she attended school until moving to Gate City, Va., on Oct. 6, 1941, to be with her mother. She loved gardening, caring for pets, and keeping house. She spent 26 years in house service with Inter Mountain Telephone Company, 14 years at the Gate City Laundry Mat, and in 1997 she took on the job of caregiver.
She loved the Atlanta Braves baseball team and watching Tiger Woods play golf. Going to the Fairview Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays was a passion she pursued for 30 years.
She was a member of Hale’s Chapel Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven brothers and three sisters.
She is survived by cousins, Virginia Clemons, Tazewell, Va., and Mrs. Fay Vi n e y, Tazewell, Va.; and one granddaughter, Adrianna Latoia “Toy” Shoemaker, Greenville, Tenn.; grandson, Jason Shoemaker; and daughter-in-law, Aubrey Shoemaker, Greeneville, Tenn.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Gate City Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Rochelle Maxwell and Pastor Keenan West officiating.
Burial will follow in the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va. Carl Muncey, Bob Payne, Wallace Ross, Jr., and Buster Stacy will serve as pallbearers. James Woods and Wallace Ross Sr. will serve as honorary pallbearers. An online guest registry is available for the Shoemaker family at www.gatecityfunerals.com. Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Irene Shoemaker.

Rosetta Marie Gulatte

KINGSPORT — Sister Rosetta Marie Gulatte, 89 of Kingsport, departed this life at Holston Valley Medical Center Saturday (March 12, 2011).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clara Mooney Snoddy and Talmon Andrew Snoddy; husband, Willie True Gulatt; a devoted son-in-law, Eugene Hood; sisters, Nannie Kate Lee, Mary Alice Grissom and Lillian Cannon.
She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Linda Jane Hood, Kingsport; son, Andrew (Mary Anne), Greeneville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Joshua A. Gulatte, Savannah, Ga., Willie Andrew Gulatte, McDonald, Ga., Rashard Gulatte, Rockingham, N.C.; step-grandchildren, Mack Wise, Atlanta, Ga., Sabrina Gay, Baltimore, Md., Jeffery Almond, McDonald, Ga.; nieces, Ada Ruth Moultry, Kingsport, Velma (Arthur) Lemon, Atlanta, Ga., Valerie Lee McCoy, Greeneville, Tenn., Carmella R. Lee, Johnson City, Tenn.; nephews, John Robert Lee, Jr., Hollywood, Fla., Lafayette Lee, Greeneville, Tenn., James (Michelle) Lee Boynton Beach, Fla.; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews; special friends and thanks to Mrs. Ollie Perry and the Shiloh Baptist church family.
Funeral services for Sister Gulatte will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Shiloh Baptist Church with, Dr. Rev. Kenneth Calvert officiating.
The internment will follow at Warrensburg Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
Sister Gulatte and family are in the care of R. A. Clark Funeral Service, Inc.
www.raclarkfuneralservice@yahoo.com, 423-245-4971.

Mrs. Donna Gail Perry

KINGSPORT — Mrs. Donna Gail Perry, 54, 247 Carver St. Kingsport, departed this life on Thursday, (March 10, 2011) after a long illness at Holston Valley Medical Center.

She was the daughter of the late Mr. James Hoard and Mrs. Mildred Hoard. Mrs. Perry was born on Jan. 8, 1957, in Kingsport, where she lived all her life.

She is survived by her husband, Mr. Henry Perry; two daughters, Ms. Selena Perry and Mrs. Michelle Perry; one granddaughter, Ashant Perry; three sisters, Ms. Brenda Wood, Atlanta, Ga., Mrs. Janet (Grover) Miller and Ms. Deborah Butts; several nephews and nieces; a special best friend and nephew, Mr. Kalid Azizz; closest best friends, Ms. Helen Beatty, Ms. Betty Ann Thomas, Mrs. Glenda Vaughan, Mrs. CeCe Rutledge and Mrs. Tammy Martin and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services Mrs. Donna Gail Perry will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Powerful New Life with, Elder Hugh Hale, officiating.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

The internment will follow at V.A. National Cemetery.

Mrs. Perry and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service, Inc.

www.raclarkfuneralservice.com 423-245-4971

Jack Anderson

GATE CITY, Va. — Jack Waltern Anderson, 69, Gate City, Va., passed away, Friday, (March 4, 2011) at the Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Jack was born in Scott County on Feb. 24, 1942, and was the son of the late Walter and Maggie Anderson.

Jack attended Weber City Church of God. He retired from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department; was a member of the Copper Creek Ruritan Club where he served on the Board of Directors; and was a lifetime member of the Scott County Lifesaving Crew.

Jack loved putting out his garden every summer, but his favorite thing to do was to ride his great-granddaughter, Olivia, around in his red wagon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Joe D. Anderson, June Wolfe, Mack Wolfe, and Kay Wolfe; and nephews, William “Buckwheat” Anderson, John “John-John” Wolfe, Sam Wolfe, Joe Wolfe, Tim Wolfe, and Ronnie Wolfe; niece, Breanna Lancaster; sisters-in-law, Almedia Robinette, Wanda Estill, and Kathleen Hensley; and special friends, Jip Lawson and Rudy Herron.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia “Pinkie” Anderson,

Gate City, Va; sons, Jack “Nicky

Brown” Anderson, Jr., Gate City, Va., Joe Anderson and wife, Sharon, Kingsport, Troye Anderson and wife, Renay, Gate City, Va., and Robert Story , New York; daughters, Contrinia Payne and husband, Bob, Gate City, Va., and Danielle Anderson, Gate City, Va.; grandchildren, Olivia Hoyle, Whitney Kusnco and husband, Ali, Tihlee Anderson, Seth Hale, Lindsey Anderson, and Bryson Anderson; great-grandchildren, Elijah Kusnco, Kaden Kusnco, and Adrianna Lane; sister, Ruby Lawson, Gate City, Va.; brothers-in-law, Offeyette Robinette, Gate City, Va., Norbet Robinette, Ashland, Va., and Theo Robinette, Kingsport ; sisters-in-law, Thelma Anderson, Gate City, Va., Julia Wolfe, Gate City, Va., Blinda Brown, Kingsport, Sheridan Robinette, Kingsport, and Frida Thomas, Phoenix, Ariz.; devoted nephew, Tyrone Anderson; devoted niece, Dr. Alisa Lancaster and husband, Robert, Raleigh, N.C.; special adopted son and daughters, Bo and Kendra Taylor; and son, Jacob, and Denise Duncan; special friends, John and Willie Kilgore, Betty Pendleton and husband, Eugene, Robin McConnell, Ron and Jonikki Cope, Tammy Presley, Ray Carrico, J.R. Doughtery, Junior Saul, Terry Thorpe, John Broadwater, Karen and Kristen Williams, and Sue Hall; along with a host of other nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday at the Gate City Funeral Home and other times at the residence of Pinkie Anderson or the residence of Bob and Contrinia Payne.

Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev Raymond Hammonds and Rev. Rochelle Maxwell officiating.

Cathy Lane, Rev. Raymond Hammonds, Liz and James Woods, and Arlena Hughes will provide the music.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Tuesday at the Holston View Cemetery.

Ray Carrico, J.R. Dougherty, Terry Thorpe, Billy Jo Wolfe, Ronald Cope, Stanley Rogers, George Wolfe, and John Broadwater will serve as pallbearers. John Kilgore, Buster Stacy, and members of the Scott County Lifesaving Crew will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 12 noon to go in procession to the graveside service.

The family of Jack Anderson wishes to convey a special thanks to the 5th floor ICU staff of Wellmont Holston Valley; to Amedisys Hospice Chaplain Mike Delham, and to nurse Misty Venette for their love and care.

An online guest registry is available for the Anderson family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Jack Anderson.