Helen Roberta Patterson

Helen Roberta Patterson, born January 25, 1927 in Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the Scioto Community Nursing Home in Columbus (Obetz), Ohio at the age of 83.

She is the daughter of the late James and Ella Stafford of Kingsport, Tennessee. She is preceded in death by husband Henry Patterson, Sr. and daughter-in-law Adrienne Patterson.

Mrs. Helen accepted Christ at an early age, she was a devoted member of Asbury North United Methodist Church and served on numerous committees within the United Methodist Church. She started the first Head Start Program in Kingsport, Tennessee.
When she arrived in Columbus, she began working for the Head Start Program at Milo Grogan. She became the Director at Inner Urban Day Care.

She is survived by 4 sons, Henry Patterson Jr. (Sue), Michael Patterson (Scherry), Robert Patterson, and Tracy Patterson; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; 2 sisters-in-law, Barbara Patterson and Pauline Armstrong; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family will receive friends Monday, February 1, 2010 at the Asbury North United Methodist Church, 1586 Clifton Avenue, Columbus, at 10 A-M until time of service, 11 A-M. Rev. Greg Herndon, officiating. Interment: Glen Rest Memorial Estate.

Arrangements entrusted to SMITH MORTUARY, 2830 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, Ohio.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on January 30, 2010

James Anthony Eckel

MORRISTOWN — James Anthony Eckel, “Woosie”, departed this life Jan. 24, 2010 at his Morristown, Tenn. home.
He was born Nov. 12, 1931 in Morristown, Tenn., son of the late Anthony and Sallie J. Eckel.
Mr. Eckel was a well known high school administrator, teacher and coach in Tennessee. He graduated from Morristown College High School, Morristown College and Knoxville College. He also received a Master's Degree in Education from Tennessee State University. Mr. Eckel was a veteran of the United States Armed Services. He began his high school teaching and coaching career in Alamo, Tenn., then as a math teacher and coach at the former Morristown West Hight School (currently West Elementary) for 12 years, then moved to Morristown East High School for two years before relocating to Kingsport's Dobyns-Bennett High School as a teacher, assistant principal and coach for over 25 years.
Mr. Eckel was very involved in the community and active in several organizations including Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the Kiwanis Club, NAACP, Reunion of the Age, Tee to Green Golf Club and the Democratic Party.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Howard, William, Raymond and Ralph; and sisters, Lou, Martha Jane and Nell Eckel.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Stewart Eckel; son, James Anthony Eckel Jr. and his wife, Roslyn of Raleigh, N.C.; and two grandchildren, James Anthony III and Linsey Dylan Eckel of Raleigh, N.C.; sisters-in-law, Mae Long, Celia Williams (Richard) and Sara Dailey of Morirstown, Josephine Scrugg (Julius) of Huntsville, Ala. and Troy Stewart, Jr. of Morristown; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and other friends and acquaintances.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Thursday at First United Methodist Church at 101 East First North Street, Morristown.
Funeral services will be Thursday at the church at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Hamblen Memory Gardens Morristown, Tenn. Dockery Funeral Home, Inc. of Morristown, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Clyde Releford Jr.

KINGSPORT — Mr. Clyde Releford Jr. departed this life on Monday (Dec. 14, 2009) at his residence after a brief illness. Mr. Releford was born in Norton, Va., and was member of Central Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Kathelene Releford; father, Mr. Clyde Releford; grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson; one sister, Mrs. Sanders Wolfe; and one brother, Edward Lee Releford.
Survived by two sons, Mahia Releford and James Releford Greer; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Ms. Patricia Ann Stokely; several nieces and nephews; greatnephews and nieces; very special friend, Canice McMiller.
Friends may call at the sister’s residence, Ms. Patricia Ann Stokely.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of service on Monday at Central Baptist Church. Friends may call at anytime residence of his sister on Wheatly St.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the church with Pastor Ricardo R. Dorcean officiating.
Mr. Releford will lie in state at the church from 9 a.m. until the hour of service.
Interment will follow at East Lawn Cemetery.
Mr. Releford and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service Inc. 423-245-4971. www.raclarkfuneralservice.com

Mrs. Cleo K. Charles

KINGSPORT — Mrs. Cleo K. Charles, 64, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday (Dec. 9, 2009).
She was born on July 30, 1945, in Rutherfordton, N.C., and was a member of Central Baptist Church of Kingsport. She was a graduate of Douglass High School.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Hattie Bristol and father, James Henry; sisters, Christine Black and Orzina Smith; brothers, Norman Hill, Jimmy Carpenter; and half brother, James Henry.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Arthur F. Charles, Jr.; children, Charles Bristol Carpenter (Angelette), Alesia M. Carpenter, Bushonna Early (Wendell), Terry Carpenter, all of Nashville, Tenn., Darron Carpenter (Anntionette) of Texas; step-daughters, Michelle Butts (Lorenzo), Tia Charles; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Logan (Avery), Mary J. Treece (Stanford); half-sisters, Mary L. Henry, Carrie L. Henry, Margaret Kincaid; brothers, William A. Carpenter, James H. Henry and Clifton Carpenter (Leslie), all of Kingsport; half-brother, Tommy Henry. Cleo is further survived by several loving nieces and nephews; uncles and aunts; and sisters and brothers-in-law; and a loving Mama Pearl.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport, Tenn. 37660.
Funeral services will follow with Rev. Lester C. Lattany of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Graveside services will follow at Zion Hills Cemetery in Surgoinsville.
Family and friends will be pallbearers.
The staff of Oak Hill is honored to serve the family of Cleo K. Charles.
An online guest registry may be signed at http://www.oakhillmemorialpark.com.

Cleo. Henry Carpenter Charles

To family/friends:

Today (Friday, Dec. 11, 2009), I got a phone call from Sherman Sensabaugh on the death of Cleo. Henry Carpenter Charles (wife of Arthur F. Charles, Jr.) of Rotherwood Heights, (Kingsport), TN. She had been in Nashville, Tn. (Vanderbilt University) ungoing treatment(s) for cancer. Sherman did not have any details of funeral, visitation or a celebration of life ceremony; however, I will pass that info. along when I get it.

Please remember Arthur & Cleo Charles' family in your thoughts and prayers.

p.s. 'Gin/Marie:.....This is Eric Henry (Black)'s aunt (his mother's sister)

Sincerely,
Eddie, e-mail: eddie_charles2001@yahoo.com or eddiecharlesjr@hotmail.com

"God is our refuge and strength"---Psalms 46:1
Jesus gave His life for us. All He asks is our faith in return.

Virginia Leeper

KINGSPORT — Virginia Carletha Pierce (Comage) Leeper, 86, of East Sevier Ave., went to be with the Lord at her residence Saturday (Nov. 28, 2009) after an extended illness. Mrs. Leeper was a lifelong resident of Kingsport. She was the last surviving girl of the Pierce family. Virginia was employed by the Kingsport Press and retired after 18 years of service. She was one of the oldest continual members of the Shiloh Baptist Church. Mrs. Leeper loved the Lord and loved her church. She served as a choir member, and on Missionary Society. She was a member of the Eastern Star.
She will always be remembered for her big smile, showing those beautiful dimples and offering a helping hand. She would always make you feel welcome at her home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Moses Comage and later by James Leeper; her parents, Albert and Lena Pierce; sisters, Alice, Fannie and Mae; brothers, William, Albert, Edward, Fred, Jake, Thomas and Charles.
She is survived by her daughters, Ms. Doreather Woolcock of California, Alice Christine Hamilton of Kingsport; her son, Rev. Joseph M. Comage and wife, Sharon of Mount Carmel; brothers, Jack Pierce and wife, Betsy Ann, Jerome Pierce, both of Kingsport; nephew A.J. Strong of Connecticut; sister-in-law, Orlean Pierce of Washington; and a special friend, Anna Ruth Coley of Florida. Along with 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, Virginia leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved ones.
The family will receive friends anytime at the residence of 1006 E. Sevier Ave., Kingsport. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Shiloh Baptist Church. The family will also receive friends anytime at the residence of 1006 E. Sevier Avenue, Kingsport.
The A service will be held at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Doug Tweed officiating.
Burial will follow at Pierce Family Chapel Cemetery in Horse Creek.
The family extends thanks to hospice nurses and all involved in her care. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Leeper family.

Larry A. Greene

Terrell Broady Funeral Home is in charge of the services for our friend and classmate Larry A. Greene. The family hour is this Saturday from 4 - 5 PM (CST) at the funeral home. The funeral will be in the chapel of the funeral home immediately after the family hours. Terrell Broady Funeral Home is located at 3855 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218.

NEW INFORMATION: Larry Greene will be interred at the Veterans National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 10 A.M.