APPALACHIA, Va. — Ms. Ollie Mae “Runt” Fletcher Shepard, 91, passed away Sunday (Nov. 9, 2014) at her daughter’s home in St. Louis, Mo.
She was a member and also treasurer of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Appalachia, Va. and the Women’s Mission Club. Ms. Ollie Mae transferred her membership from the Macedonia Baptist Church in Appalachia, Va. to Heaven. She joined the “great cloud of witnesses” and is resting in the arms of her Savior. Rest in peace Ms. Ollie Mae and thank you for the memories.
She was formerly a member of the Democratic Women’s Club and was employed at the Appalachia Elementary School before retirement. She loved to dance, draw, water paint, laugh, and dress. She found joy in taking care of her family and others.
Ollie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Frank Shepard, Sr.; daughter, Shirley Ann Shepard; brothers, Thomas Fletcher, Milton Fletcher, Sidney Fletcher and Neverlin Fletcher.
She leaves to mourn, her children, Delories F. Hollinger of Atlanta, Ga., Mildred Anderson of St. Louis Mo., Willie Frank Shepard, Jr. of Kingsport,Tenn., Juanita Shepard of Appalachia, Va., Carolyn Shepard of Appalachia, Va., Vicky L. McCoo and husband Brisco of Big Stone Gap, Va.; her brother, Willie Harris of Norton, Va., also survives her. She leaves behind 15 grandchildren; and a host of great and great-great-grandchildren. Ms. Shepard was also instrumental in raising Elder Carolyn Smith, Diane, Eddie, and Chris Ossea.
The family will receive friends, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, Va .
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Ronnie Collins officiating.
Graveside services will follow the funeral ceremony at noon in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap, Va. Family and friends will be pallbearers. Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, Va. is honored to serve the Shepard family. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign the guest book at www.gilliamfuneralhome.com
FT. WAYNE, Ind. — Ms. Edna Ruth Simpson departed this world on Nov. 7, 2014 after living a blessed 89 years.
She was a native of Norton, Va. She lived her early adult life in Kingsport, then moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind. where she was an active member of Lighthouse Church.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mrs. Nettie B. Simpson; her son, Hershil L. Simpson; and daughter-in-law, Patricia Hundt Simpson; and son-in-law, Ralph.
She is survived by three loving daughters, Ms. Irene Simpson of Ft. Wayne, Mrs. Pamela S. Kincaid (Don), and Mrs. Janet F. Hayden of Kingsport; six grandchildren, Rhonda Bass (Christopher), Steve Simpson (Rochelle), Christopher Simpson (Nicole), Robin Hogan (Phillip), Ron Kincaid (Marthe) and Aaron Kincaid (Michelle); and 14 precious great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Naomi Bailey of Ft. Wayne; and four nephews; and one niece.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Clark Funeral Chapel.
The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of service. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family a simp son@clarkfc.com
Professional Services and care of Ms. Edna Ruth Simpson and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service Inc. (423) 245-4971. \
KINGSPORT — Mr. Jack Pierce, Jr., 64, entered into eternal life Oct. 31, 2014 at the Christian Care Center after a battle with cancer.
He was born and reared in Kingsport, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was the oldest of seven children of Jack and Mrs. Betsy Pierce.
He was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, and married the love of his life, Ms. Sandra Reed Pierce on Dec. 6, 2013. She was his long time sweetheart for over 25 years. He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Jack Pierce, Jr. leaves to mourn his death his lovely wife Sandra; his parents, Jack and Mrs. Betsy Peirce; two children, Spencer Dokes and Raphel Pierce; four step-children, Ms. Kimberly Crawford, Timmy Lovelace, Ms. Melinda Clayton, and Fredrick Lovelace; two brothers, James Garfield Pierce (Becky) and Alan Pierce (Wanda); four sisters, Ms. Veronica Camp (B.C.), Ms. Sandra Ewing, Ms. Lena Rogers (Mickey) and Ms. Veronica Martinez (Filo); and a host of nieces, nephews and several grandchildren.
He will be truly, truly missed.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 PM from the Central Baptist Church with the Reverend Joseph Comage officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of service. Burial will follow at the Historical Pierce Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Historical Pierce Cemetery, 326 Louis St., Kingsport, TN.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at jpierce@clarkfc.com
Professional services and care of Mr. Jack Pierce Jr. and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service Inc. (423) 245-4971.
