Vernice Blanton

Vernice Elizabeth Blanton, age 73 of New Tazewell, Tenn., born November 30, 1939, in Lee County, Va., passed away February 21, 2013, in Tazewell, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Seabolt; daughter, Nelda Blanton; brothers, William Taylor, J.H. Taylor and Earl Taylor; granddaughters, Makenna Cinnamon and Amy Whisler.

She is survived by her daughter, Vetty Decker of Altoona, Fla.; sons, James Blanton of Oklahoma; Johnny Blanton of Bean Station, Tenn., and Gary Seabolt of Seymour, Tenn.; granddaughters, Elizabeth Whisler, Amanda Blanton, Brandy Blanton, India Seabolt and Hailee Seabolt; brother, Robert Taylor; sister, Barbara Parks; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family received friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 23, 2013, at Coffey Funeral Home in New Tazewell, Tenn. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at the Coffey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Troy Taylor and Rev. Leroy Taylor officiating. Singer: Sherry Taylor. Burial to follow in the Bailey Cemetery with Scotty Taylor, Charlie Taylor, Junior Long, Richard Rouse, Samuel Taylor and Cody Taylor serving as pallbearers.

Coffey Funeral Home in charge. www.coffeyfh.com

William Nevils

Father William Howard Paul Nevils, age 72 of Tazewell, Tenn., was born April 25, 1940, and passed away February 11, 2013, at Tennova Hospice Center in Knoxville, Tenn. He was the Priest of the Episcopal Church for 45 years. He was a graduate of Carson Newman College and Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary.

He was preceded in death by his father: G. Howard Nevils esq.

He is survived by his mother: Thelma Nevils Reed. Children: Melanie Claire Pond and husband Jeremy Rollin of Eugene, Ore.; Philippa Sarah Murphy and husband Wayne Chad of Mukilto, Wash.; Andrew Paul Nicholas Nevils and wife Amber Leslie Geals of Issaquah, Wash. Grandchildren: Keegan Levi Pond, Tatum Allison Pond, Brennan Chad Murphy, Madeline Wynter Murphy, Evan Alexander Nevils, Avery Nicole Nevils.

The Burial Office and Requiem Mass was read and celebrated Thursday, February 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn., with Bishop George D. Young III, the Rev. Canon Stephen Askew and the Rev. Mother Mary Margaret Blanchard officiating.

Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Fairview Cemetery in New Tazewell, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to St. Matthias the Apostle Episcopal Church, 415 West Main Street, Rogersville, TN 37857.

Claiborne – Overholt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

www.claibornefuneralhome.com

Nora Percival

Nora Frances “Frankie” Percival, age 87, was born June 29, 1925, and passed away February 17, 2013, at the Claiborne County Nursing Home. She was raised in the Little Valley Community of Claiborne County. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Little Sycamore when she was growing up and walking across the ridge to church with her best friends, the Cook Girls, Mabel Cook Cosby, Frances Cook Ramsey and Dorothy Runions Noah. Later, she moved her membership to Midway Baptist Church where she remained a member for the rest of her life. For many years she taught the young Children’s Class and loved helping with Bible School. She was trained as a Hair Stylist at the Old Knoxville Beauty School on Gay Street in Knoxville where she and sister Lucille graduated together. For many years she had a Beauty Shop in her home. She was a talented woman and took pride in her sewing, cooking, decorating, growing vegetable gardens and her many flowers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Belle Ingle Suffridge; son Estle Runions Jr.; great grandson, Brandon Runions; sister, Lucille Baker; brothers, Tracy, Rosco, Bill and Carl Suffridge; brother-in-law, Curt Baker and sister-in-law, Catherine Buchanan Suffridge.

She is survived by her husband of fifty years: Bill Percival. Son: William Percival. Daughter: Patricia (Jim) Arnwine. Granddaughter: Angela Breeding. Grandsons: Anthony Arnwine and Wesley Runions all of Tazewell; Brian Runions of Illinois; Diana Runions of New Mexico. Great Grandchildren: Ashley Arnwine, Paul Arnwine and Alston Breeding all of Tazewell; Aidan and Emily Runions of Florida. Brother: Jim (Mildred) Suffridge of Smithville. Sister: Freda (Miles) Donaldson of Indiana. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends and special neighbors: Larry and Janie Klinger; Bill and Thelma Parsons.

The family received friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Coffey Funeral Home with funeral service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at Coffey Funeral Home Chapel. Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Fairview Cemetery.

Minister: Rev. Ronnie Pressnell

Eulogy: Earl Ingle

Singer: Good Friend Myrtle Meyers

Pallbearers: Paul White, Alston Breeding, Shane Breeding, Donnie Noe, Anthony Mountain and Anthony Arnwine.

Coffey Funeral Home in charge.

Dorothy B. Wheeler -

Dorothy B. Wheeler, age 88 of Monroe, died at 2:11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, at Mercy Memorial Hospital.

Born June 22, 1924, in Middlesboro, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Joe and Bertha (Hurst) Carroll. She married Robert Lee Evans on May 26, 1945, in Bowling Green, Ohio. He died May 10, 1970. She later married James H. Wheeler on June 26, 1972 in Monroe. He also preceded her on December 31, 1991.

Dorothy was a homemaker who in her spare time enjoyed traveling and visiting casinos.

She is survived by five sons, Earl (Colleen) Evans of Bay City, Michigan, David (Linda) Evans of Monroe, Eddie (Betty Stec) Evans of Toledo, Ohio, Daniel Evans of Monroe, and Robert Evans, Jr. of Monroe; two daughters, Lois (Paul Wilson) Evans of Monroe and Teresa (Terry) Pickens of Van Wert, Ohio; four step-children, Roger Wheeler of Texas, Wendel (Michelle) Wheeler of Texas, Carl (Virge) Wheeler of Carleton, and Mary (Al) Sidell of Monroe; three sisters, Marie Owens of Monroe, Della Martin of Carleton, and Bartie Carroll of Keokee, Virginia; one step-sister Mary Lou Rose of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 11 grandchildren and 13 step; nine great-grandchildren and seven step; two great-great-grandchildren and one step.

In addition to her two husbands, Dorothy was preceded in death by two year old son Roger Evans; a grandson Dwayne Wilson; a brother C.B. Carroll; step-brother Ralph Walker; step-sisters Vada Rhoten, Azaline Martin and Ivalee Davis.

Friends and relatives were able to visit from 4 – 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Rupp Funeral Home, Monroe. She was then taken to Reece Funeral Home in Harrogate, Tenn., where visitation was held from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Feb. 23. Rev. Jerry Peck officiated and burial followed at Riverview Cemetery in Harrogate.

Online condolences may be sent through www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.