Happy Birthday

Your Douglass website published its very first post on December 29, 2006.

That means, today, Douglass-Riverview's information source is now officially 8 years old.

Considering the modern-day internet (the one we all use today), is only 20 years old, it means we have been around for half the life of the internet.

Not a bad recognition.

Thanks for supporting us!

Rebecca L. Bell

Mrs. Rebecca Bell, 67, departed this life Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at Wexford House, Kingsport, Tennessee with her sister and nephew at her side.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ms. Vera Johnson and Ms. Linda Johnson, and two brothers, Howard Bell and John Bell.

Survivors include four sisters, Ms. Dorothy (Herman) Logan, and Ms. Bettie Bell-Parker of Kingsport, Ms. Dianne Kahn of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ms. Rose (Michael) Moss of Mississippi, and a host of nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, relatives and friends.

Services will be private.

Professional services and care of Ms. Rebecca L. Bell and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Inc., (423) 245-4971.

Fonnie Canty-Amoako

KINGSPORT — Mrs. Fonnie Canty-Amoako, 838 Dale St., Kingsport, Tenn., departed this life Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2014) at Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center.

She was a graduate of Douglass High School and Morristown College. She taught at Kingsport Nursery for over 30 years.

Mrs. Canty-Amoako’s love was her family, church, and friends. She treated all three with love, attention and respect.

She was filled with whole-hearted stewardship and loving service as a dedicated member of Bethel AME Zion Church. She served as a member of a Stewardess Board, Gospel Choir, Usher Board and Kitchen ministry. She was also a former member of Dunbar Temple #344, Daughters of Elks.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Irene Price, Truda and Paul Turner; husband, Charlie Canty; three brothers, Rev. Hampton Turner, Tim Price and Jerry Price; daughter, Priscella Smith; and granddaughter, Latrice Stewart.

She is survived by husband James Amoako; daughters, Charlene Hodge, Ivy Amoako; sons, Paul Canty, Mark (Lisa) Canty, Charles (Lucretia) Canty, Richard Canty, Derrick Amoako and Emmanuel Amoako; 15 grandchildren, Nikki, Andre, Candance, Dominic, Tony, Major, Mason, Marcus, Morgan, Jelani, Jared, Aneesah, Jabril, Kacy (Beth); four great-grandchildren, Gabe, Olivia, Daran, Gabriel; two sisters, Joyce Tarter and Linda McKinney; a host of nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. from Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church with Pastor Charles Hawkins officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.

Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at amoako@clarkfc.com 

Professional services and care of Mrs.Fonnie Ray Canty-Amoako and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service Inc., (423) 245-4971.

Mrs. Fonnie Canty

Mrs. Fonnie Canty, the mother of Ms. Charlene Hodge, Bristol District Life Member Chair, passed away on Tuesday evening, December 2, 2014. The homegoing service will be Saturday, December 6, 2:00 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church in Kingsport, TN.

Please pray for family.


Presiding Elder C.A. Hawkins

Ollie Mae Shepard

  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

Edna Ruth Simpson

  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. \

Jack Pierce, Jr.

  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.