Loftus J. Smith

Smith, Loftus J. “Smitty” –67, A 34-year resident of Medford, formerly of Boston and Kingsport, Tennesee where he was born and raised, died at home after a long illness on May 21, 2011.

Loftus was the beloved husband of Martha L. (Beaudet) Smith and the loving father of Teresa M. Barrett of Medford and the adoring grandfather of Jevon Roland Barrett. He was the brother of Patricia Lynch of Bellingham and Paula Smith of West Roxbury and the nephew of Pauline Armstrong of West Roxbury. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Loftus is a 1963 graduate of Douglass High School, Kingsport, Tennessee.

Funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of George L. Doherty Funeral Service, Inc, in Somerville.

Smitty was an avid fisherman who enjoyed both fresh and saltwater fishing with his extensive collection of fishing rods. He was also an employee of Massachusetts General Hospital and Sears Roebuck in Boston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in “Smitty’s name to Hallmark Hospice, Inc., 178 Savin St. Malden, MA 02148.

Ida Lee Bellamy

BIG STONE GAP, Va. — Ida Lee Bellamy, 96, “Mama Lee” as she was affectionately called, died on Thursday (May 5, 2011) at Heritage Hall Healthcare in Big Stone Gap, following a lengthy illness.

She was born in Carbon Hill, Alabama, on May 25, 1914. She lived most of her life in Roda, Virginia, and Big Stone Gap. She loved to cook and worked many years as a cook at Ray’s Café and the old Monte Vista Hotel. She owned and operated her own restaurant in Pennington Gap, Virginia, called “Bellamy’s Café” in the late 1960s. Ida confessed Christ at a young age and was a member of First Baptist Church in Big Stone Gap, which she attended regularly and often worked in the kitchen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Bellamy; her parents, Jim and Ida Bell Darkins Owens; a brother, Charlie Owens; and a sister, Laura Mae Owens.
She leaves to mourn a devoted god-daughter, Teresa L. Hollinger of Big Stone Gap, Va., a great-nephew, Tim Camp of Big Stone Gap and a host of friends.
Friends may call from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N.) in Big Stone Gap.
The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Sandra Jones, Elder Carolyn Smith, Apostle Yanthophalees Jackson and Rev. Mike Rafe officiating.
Burial will follow in the Oak View Cemetery in Big Stone Gap.
On-line condolences may be to www.holdingfuneralhome.com.
Holding Funeral Home is proud to serve the Bellamy family.

Katheryn C. Robinson Hunter

Katheryn C. Robinson Hunter, 83, of Kingsport went to be with the Lord Friday, April 29, 2011 at The Wexford House.

Katheryn was born in Spring City, TN (Rhea County) and lived in Nashville for several years. She had been a resident in Kingsport since 1997. She was retired from Vanderbilt Medical Center with over 27 years of tireless care giving. Katheryn was a member of Central Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben Hunter; her son, Wayne Jackie Pratt; her father and mother, Jack Robinson and Della Ray Robinson; her brothers and sisters, Elijah Robinson, Flora Robinson and Cecil Hall.

She leaves behind a loving and devoted daughter, Brenda Willis and devoted son in law, Robert E. Willis of Kingsport; two sisters, Nellie Swafford of Kingsport and Augusta Faye Johnson of Harriman, TN; her foster daughter, Norma DeArmond and husband, Carl and their children, Donna and Collette of Harriman, TN; three grandchildren dear to her heart, Darrell Pratt and wife Mary, Sonya Bell, and Anissa Kittrell and husband Tracey; great grandchildren, Jennifer, Margo, Latoya, Brenda, Ray, Indya and Tracey Jr.; along with several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 2 pm on Monday May 2, 2011 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport or anytime at the residence of her daughter, Brenda Willis, 1060 Wellington Blvd., Kingsport, TN, 37660.

A service will be held at 2 pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Lester Turner and Rev. Ricardo Dorcean officiating. Music will be provided by Xavier (Tim) Hall.

A graveside service will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Tracey Kittrell, Sr., Tracey Kittrell, Jr., Tim Hall and Terry Moore.

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the Wexford House and Hospice Care staff members for their dedication to my mother.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Hunter family.

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Mrs. Pearl Jefferies

KINGSPORT — Mrs. Pearl Lee Jefferies (Mama Pearl), 83, of 233 Carver St., departed this life Sunday (April 17, 2011), at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after a brief illness.

Mrs. Jefferies was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, was an active member in the senior choir, Sunday school, Golden Saint, and a past member of the Annie Hickman Club. Mrs. Jefferies was very active with the community youth, known as “Mama Pearl” to the community, giving icees to children.

Mrs. Jefferies was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. James A. Henry; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Bristol; son, James Albert Henry; two daughters, Mrs. Cleo Charles and Mrs. Christine Black.

She leaves to mourn, four daughters, Ms. Mary Lee Henry, Ms. Margaret Kincaid, Mrs. Mary Jane (Stan) Treece, Kingsport, Ms. Carrie Riggins, Nashville, Tenn.; three sons, Mr. Tommy Lee Henry, Mr. James Howard Henry, Kingsport, Mr. Richard Henry, Nashville, Tenn.; special friends, grandson, Tylee (Erica) Henry, Jessica Trent, Charlotte Henry, Tonya Phillips; numerous grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren; special aunt, Deacon Jennibelle Bristol; and sister, Pinkie Horton.

Special thanks to the staff of Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center and Drs. Kenneth and Linda Calvert. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. till the hour of service Friday at Shiloh Baptist Church. Funeral service will be conducted from the church Friday at noon with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Calvert officiating. The interment will follow at East Lawn Cemetery.

Marcheta Ford

CHURCH HILL — Marcheta Lenetta Ford, 58, of Church Hill, departed this life on Wednesday (April 6, 2011), at Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol after a brief illness.

Marcheta was a member of Lyons Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Church Hill. She always greeted others with a smile. She enjoyed singing, cooking, sewing and doting on her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her paternal great-grandparents, George and Sallie Price; maternal grandparents, Effie and Pete Leeper; father, Kenneth Leeper and stepfather, William “Bill” Price.
Marchetta is survived by her loving husband, Richard Allen Ford, of the home; mother, Mary Kate Brice of Church Hill; daughter, Chasidy Ann Ford of Church Hill; stepdaughter, Angel Uribe’ of Kingsport; sister, Dawn Temple of Kingsport; granddaughters, Rory Ford-Mendenhall and Rylee Ford-Cowden of Church Hill; grandsons, Marcus, Lake, Belgium and Maurice; sisters-in-law, Linda Kincaid of Kingsport, Janilla Ford-Lipe and husband, Darrell, of Surgoinsville and Anna Maddox of Greeneville; brothersin-law, Marcellous Rogers and wife, Phyllis, of Greeneville, and Mermon Rogers and wife, Annie, of Greeneville; devoted aunts, Minnie Cox and Zola Leeper, both of Church Hill; aunts, Elsie Horn and Thelma Dulaney of Knoxville and Louise Washington of Sacramento, Calif.; loyal cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 1115 Hwy. 11-W, Church Hill. Friends may also call anytime at the residence.
A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Pamela L. Hoard, the Rev. Roy Charles, the Rev. D. Bistan and the Rev. James Snapp officiating.
Burial will follow in Church Hill Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Steve Manis, Randy Leeper, Eddie Cox, Bobby Cox, Ronnie Cox and D.J. Cowden. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Price, Frankie Price, William Lyons Jr. and Howard Hoard.
The family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the healthcare providers that have taken care of Marcheta, with special thanks to Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol, Tenn.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Church Hill, is serving the Ford family.

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.