Grant buys Jaws of Life

The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $61,963 to purchase (Strong Arm LE) Jaws of Life for every Wythe County Public School campus. Wythe County School Resource Officers received training on how to operate these units. The purpose for these tools is for barricaded doors. They can deliver 10,000 lbs of pressure to any door frame with the ability to cut chain and metal within seconds.

Seven Sisters Brewery will hold a Spooktacular Carnival from noon to 9 p.m. Highlights of the day include a dog costume contest at 3 p.m., a talent show at 4 p.m. and Queens of the Dead, for the over 18 crowd, at 9:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., classic

1980 horror flick “The Shining” will screen at The Millwald Theatre.

At 7 Dogs Brewpub, Victor Lawson & Boogie Chillen will take the stage from 8 to 11 p.m.

A costume contest is on tap for 8 p.m.

The Log House will how a 21 and up Halloween party from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The second run of Spirits of Old Wytheville is set for 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28.

Get your tickets for the haunted walking tour at https://www. eventbrite.com/…/spirits-of- old-wytheville…

The spine-chilling adventure suitable for all ages will explore Downtown Wytheville’s eerie streets and building.

The adventure starts at 8 p.m. outside the Rock House Museum, with parking available at 150 E. Monroe St.

Reservations are required.

Police to hand out candy

ber to celebrate our veterans by gathering with the community at these special events.

The Wytheville Police Department and Wytheville Fire Department will be at Wy- theville Community College on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. for the WCC Com- munity Halloween Celebration.

The police department will be in front of Smyth Hall handing out trick-or-treat bags and candy.

103 Towing and Recovery provided the metal for training . suffering a traumatic experience. Make time in Novem-

James Courtney

“Jamie” Bell Jr.

James Courtney “Jamie” Bell Jr., 61, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.

Bell was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was hard working and had been employed at Virginia House, Walmart, and C & A Fabricators. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed tinkering with his many tools, and having a McDonald’s Mocha Frappe – he had to have one every time he came to town.

He loved cars, especially a Ford Fairlane or a Rat Rod, and he was a daredevil when it came to motorcycles. He was a member of Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, his faith kept him strong during his battle with MS (Multiple Sclerosis.)

His unique personality and kind, gentle ways will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his father, James C. Bell Sr.; grandmothers, Mattie Bell and Katherine Thomas; father-in-law, Donald Lowman; and his faithful cat, Jayla. Bell is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Tammy Lowman Bell of Atkins; daughter, Kayla McCracken (Cody) of Marion; mother, Annie Thomas Bell of Atkins; sister, Cynthia Debusk (Gerald) of Chilhowie; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved cats, Alex, Electra, Pumpkin and Roxie.

Burial was at Wassum Cemetery, Atkins.

To share memories of James Courtney “Jamie” Bell Jr. please visit www.seaverbrown. com.

Carol Jackson Bowers

Carol Jackson Bowers, 94, died Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at Carrington Place of Wytheville.

She was born March 13, 1929, in Wythe County to the late Richard Andrew Jackson Sr. and Elizabeth Hollis Jackson.

Bowers was a lifelong member of Bethany United Methodist Church (Bethany Community Church). She served as organist/pianist for more than 50 years and was a member of the Women’s Ministry for many years. She enjoyed reading, working puzzles, growing flowers and eating out with friends. She loved traveling with family, especially with her sister, Nettie “Sis” Peterson. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star since Feb. 5,

1977 and she volunteered at Wythe County Community Hospital for 15 years.

Bowers was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend; she will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Bowers was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Gilmer Bowers; two sons, Dennis Clayton Bowers and Gil Jackson Bowers. She was also preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.

Surviving are her grandchildren, Jason, Ryan and Ashley; greatgrandchildren, the “apple of her eye” Greyson and older sister, Hannah; multiple nieces and nephews including a favorite, Ronnie Jackson and wife, Ellen, of Spokane, Washington; and several sistersin-law and a host of friends.

The family will greet friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the Reese Funeral Home with the funeral service to follow at 7 with the Rev. Bill Showman officiating.

The committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in the Bethany Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bethany Community Church, 1184 Lead Mine Road, Austinville, VA 24312 or a charity of choice.

Reese Funeral Home, Austinville, is serving the family.

Ray Brewer

Ray Brewer, 73, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at his home in Troutdale.

Brewer was born in Marion to the late Cone and Odessa Horton Brewer. He was a longtime truck driver for many, and then later retiring from General Dynamics after 12 years. He was a hardworking man and an avid farmer. He cherished his family and was always there to help anyone in need. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather that will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Brewer; three sons, Doug Brewer and wife, Kelley, Chad Brewer and Brandon Brewer and wife, Ashley; grandchildren Kayla Buchanan and husband, Zachary, Jacob Brewer and Kaitlyn, and Kelsey Brewer and Gradyn; great-granddaughter Ellieannah Buchanan; brother Roy

Brewer and wife, Patsy; several nieces, nephews and friends; and his special cat companion Smokey.

Burial was at Troutdale Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Brewer Family.

Brenda Payne Copenhaver

Brenda Payne Copenhaver, 71, of Wytheville died at home on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with Dementia/ Alzheimer’s.

Born Oct. 21, 1951, she was the oldest child of the late Ben and Iris Payne. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Ann Spraker and brother, Carlton Duwayne Payne.

Copenhaver is survived by her husband, Benny Copenhaver; son, Stevie Crockett and wife, Amber; daughters Suzanne Crockett and Mahala Hull and husband, Chris; stepdaughter, Cheryl Anderson; grandchildren, Alexis Crockett, Catelin Crockett, Elise Burnette and husband, Chance, and Maleah Hull; stepgrandchildren, Dylan Anderson and Nick Anderson; and greatgrandchildren, Lennox, Wyatt, Parker and Isla Burnette.

Burials was at Charity Cemetery in Barren Springs.

Friends and family may visit the Copenhaver home at any time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimers Association.org

Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is serving the family.

Charles Jacob

Irvin Cotter

Charles Jacob Irvin Cotter, 46, of Rural Retreat died Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

He was born in Altoona, Pa on April 27, 1977, to Lori Elsie Carothers and the late John James Cotter.

He is survived by his mother Lori E. Carothers of the home; sons Charles Jacob Irvin Cotter Jr. and Hunter Bright of Marion; two granddaughters, Penelope and Paisley Bright; brother John Cotter of Groseclose, and son Alex Cotter of Saltville; sister Rebecca Cox and husband, Brandon, and daughter Nicky of Rural Retreat; and several nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be appreciated or memorials may be made to Lindsey Funeral Home to help offset expenses.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.highlandfuneralservice.com

Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, is serving the Cotter family.

Joan Demer

Joan Demer, 91, died at her home in Marion on Oct. 18, 2023. She was a quick-witted, flower-growing, catloving mom and friend to many. Most everyone came to know her as JoJo.

She was born in Dunedin, Florida, delivered by her beloved Aunt Hazel in the front bedroom of her childhood home. Her father, who built the house, owned a hardware store, and she inherited his handy skills and ingenuity. She sold duck eggs collected from the family pond, raised cocker spaniels to help pay for college and churned butter in the hardware store’s paint shaker.

Demer lived life her way, a hard worker, frugal in spending yet generous with her time and resources like her parents. Her wit came with a bite. Her voice mail message said “if you are not a friend or a relative, lose this number” and her doormats advised strangers to “go away.”

For a spell as a young woman, she renamed herself Jo Angela because she longed for a middle name and had a crush on a boy from camp named Angelo. Demer graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in education but didn’t want to teach so became a Delta Airlines flight attendant. (Bonus:

She got to pocket any cigarettes leftover from what came with airline meals.) When she married, the rules of the time forced her to quit and she became a stayat-home mother raising four children, including one in a wheelchair. (Her first-born died as a newborn.) Her marriage to James Demer was long, though not lifelong, and took the family to cities in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and eventually to Atlanta and its suburbs.

Demer became a reading paraprofessional for the Dekalb County School District in metro Atlanta, helping students at Avondale High School who had never learned to read or needed a boost. Recognizing all she did, her adored lead teacher dubbed her Demer the Great. She was a dedicated horticulture volunteer at Zoo Atlanta and an usher at the Alliance Theatre. When her three surviving children went off to college, she began renting their rooms to international students, providing them with opportunity and herself with companionship and an expanded worldview. Some remain in touch even now, 40plus years later. On her resume, she listed one of her skills as “dealing with people of all ages.”

After she retired, she resettled near her youngest daughter in Marion. The community embraced her, and she gave back, volunteering with and supporting many service organizations. She received an early honor when she was named one of Smyth County’s Most Beautiful People. She made close friends at Wellness Center classes, hosted regular potluck luncheons and volunteered with Helping Hands thrift store and The Lincoln Theatre among others. She became a Virginia master gardener and put her knowledge to use not only in her own yard, but also by turning a weedy triangle of land at the end of her street into a tiny showplace garden that she maintained almost until she died.

Her lifelong habit of tracking every penny she ever spent — literally — and investing and saving the others helped put all of her five grandchildren through college. She never forgot a birthday.

Demer was preceded in death by daughters Sharon and Terry Lynn Demer; parents Margaret M. and Gavin R. Douglas; brother Russell Douglas; and kitty Biskit among many cherished cats.

She is survived by daughter Lisa Demer of Anchorage, Alaska; son Kevin Demer and daughter-in-law Pam of Portland, Oregon; daughter Tracy Thompson of Marion; brother Gavin L. Douglas of Allen, Texas; ex-sonin-law Garry Mealor of Anchorage; grandchildren Sarah, Drew, Taylor Lee, Noah and Trey; three nieces; many cousins; friends in Virginia, Georgia, Florida and all over the world; and dear kitty Licorice.

In lieu of flowers, JoJo requested that you consider a donation to one of her favorite causes: The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, where daughter Tracy is executive director, or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through the Smyth County Chamber of Commerce.

Demer;s children and grandchildren held a private family service at Hungry Mother State Park to celebrate the richness of her life. They read messages

See OBITUARIES, Page 5 from loved ones, shared memories and played the song she chose, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

To share memories of Joan Douglas Demer, please visit www. seaverbrown.com.

Darrell

Wayne

“Bucky” Hagee

Darrell Wayne “Bucky” Hagee, 62, of Wytheville died Oct. 21, 2023.

He was born in Wytheville on June 28, 1961 to the late Clarence Hermon Jr. and Joyce Ann Smith Hall.

Survivors include his brother, Samuel W. Hagee of Wytheville; sister Tina Hagee of Pulaski; a host of aunts, uncles, niece, nephew and cousins; and special friend, Cathy Shupe.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at grubbfuneralhome. com. The Hagee family is in the care of the Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville.

Jerry Dean \Harden

Jerry Dean Harden, 69, of Bland died Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

He was born Oct. 1, 1954, in Bland County, the son of the late David Morgan Harde, Jr. and Lois Williams Harden. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Denny Harden and a sister, Jane Strader.

Survivors include his wife, Maria F. Harden; daughter and son-inlaw, Elizabeth and Mason Milito of Oakridge, Tennessee; brother and sister-in-law, David and Teresa Harden of Pulaski; a sister, Lesa Wilson of Bland; and several nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

Highland Bland Funeral Chapel, Bland, is serving the Harden family.

Betty Jo Scott Hayes

Betty Jo Scott Hayes, 85, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at the Viviant Health care in Bristol, Tennessee.

Hayes was born in Smyth County to the late Robert Kyle Scott and Willie Wolfe Scott and was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hayes; her daughter Sandy Surber; her brother Randall Scott and wife, Wanda. She attended Mt. Carmel UMC and retired from Harwood Manufacturing with 20 plus years of service. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother who enjoyed taking care of her cats, Baby and Sweet Pea.

Survivors include granddaughter, Krystal Malone and husband, Patrick, of Marion; great-grandchildren, Amelia Grace Malone and Jordon Shane Malone; sister, Carol Snider of Marion; brothers-in-law, Doug Hayes and wife, Glenda, of Springfield, Missouri, Eugene Hayes of Marion, Gerald Hayes and wife, Patty, of Marion, and Duane Hayes and wife, Sharon, of Marion; special niece and care giver, Angie Comer; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was at Rose Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Betty’s memory can be made to Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc., 418 N. State of Franklin Road Johnson City, TN 37604 or to Project Cross Roads, 136 Snider Branch Rd, Marion, VA 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh. com. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Betty Jo Hayes family.

Donald Warren

“Donnie” Hedrick

Donald Warren “Donnie” Hedrick, 76, of Wytheville died Oct 18, 2023.

Hedrick was born in Wythe County to the late William Warren and Elizabeth “Libby” Hedrick. He was preceded in death by his brother Terry Allen Hedrick. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Mitchell Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Linda Kime Hedrick of Wytheville; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sara Hedrick of Wytheville; three grandsons, Austin Hedrick (KayKay Crockett), Cole Hedrick (Addie Crigger), and Blake Hedrick, all of Wytheville; sister and brother-in-law, Deedy and Allen Hurst of Wytheville; and nephew, Terry Hurst of Wytheville. Inurnment was at Mt. Mitchell Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Mt. Mitchell Methodist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Doris Umberger 6121 Stoney Fork Road Wytheville VA 24382. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com

The Hedrick family is in the care of Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville.

Shirley Ellen Jupino

Shirley Ellen Jupino, 71, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at Abingdon Health and Rehab in Abingdon.

Jupino was born in Buchanan County to the late Clarence and Lola Mae Stiltner. She is also preceded in death by a brother Benjamin Stiltner. Jupino was a registered nurse and worked at many health care facilities around the community. She was dedicated to her patients and truly loved helping people. She also served as a special caregiver to Magdalene Davenport for many years until her passing in 2008.

She is survived by her son, Shane Jupino; grandchildren Sonny and Lima Jupino; two brothers, R.C. Stiltner and wife, Judy, and Danny Stiltner; two sisters, Virginia McNew and Jeff, and Becky Stiltner; nephews Mark Stiltner, David McNew, Rick Stiltner and Lucas Stiltner; niece Tineco Snyder; and special friend and companion Larry Davenport.

Burial was in the Lebanon UMC Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie is serving the Jupino Family.

Dorothy “Sugar”

“Nannie” Irene Gordon Love

Dorothy “Sugar” “Nannie” Irene Gordon Love, 89, died at home on Oct. 23, 2023.

Love was born in Wy- theville on April 28, 1934, to the late Joseph Marco Freeman Gordon and Lily Irene Whisman Gordon.

She graduated from Marion Senior High School in 1954 and went on to work for many years as a seamstress for Buster Brown. She was known for her precise and meticulous work and would rip out seams when the finished product was not up to her standard. She created and fashioned many items of clothing for her family, including costumes, dresses, and fixed all manner of ripped jeans and shirts. No item of clothing was ever out of the realm of being salvaged for the next child in line for the “hand me downs.”

Love loved her family with a zeal that knew no bounds and would gladly give someone a “talkin’ to” if she felt they had been wronged or treated unfairly. She married the love of her life, Jack Ryburn Hurt Love Sr. on Jan. 26, 1957. Although she said she wasn’t a farmer, she married one and grew to love her farm life. She became an avid canner, canning the large garden that her husband always grew. She canned what often seemed like thousands of jars of pickles, green beans, pinto beans, and tomatoes, ensuring that there was always a meal on the table. She also loved her flowers and spent many hours in the spring planting and caring for her colorful assortment. She especially loved marigolds and purple phlox.

Love loved Elvis, rainbows, summer nights, puzzles, organizing all her family photos, the beach (although she never learned to swim), chocolate, yellow roses, all animals, anything that her grandchildren shared with her, and a meticulously spotless house. She enjoyed decorating and furnishing the large doll houses/cabins that her husband, Jack, would build for the grandchildren and was always on the look for miniature furnishings for each house, going the extra mile at Christmas with decorations.

She had a love for Native American porcelain dolls and even had a spare bedroom that she called her Indian room, which housed all her collectables. Love loved to watch old westerns as well; she grew up on Main Street in Marion across from the Lincoln Theatre, which is the place where she fell in love with the genre. She would watch them almost every day in her later years.

Even though Love had many loves, nothing compared to her love for her husband and family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Jack Ryburn Hurt Love Sr. After being apart for the last 10 years, they are reunited again and holding hands walking down the heavenly streets of gold together.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Lili, along with three siblings: Frank (and Edith) Gordon, James (and Betty) Gordon, and Nellie (and Ralph “Dutch”) Cheeks. Love was also preceded in death and is now meeting her four grandbabies that were taken back to heaven prior to being born on Earth (two grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren). She will additionally be reunited with some special fur babies: a cat named “Spock” that would run every time that she got out a trash bag, a dog named “Lad” that would baby-sit her twins while she hung laundry out on the line, another dog named “Whitefoot” that she felt a kindred spirit with because she said they were both “just old”, and a horse named “Buck” that she always enjoyed seeing her son ride.

Love is survived by four children, James William (“Jimmy Bill”) Love, Jack (“Jackie”) Ryburn Hurt Love Jr. (and Tammy), Elizabeth (“Beth”) (and Dickie) Davenport, and Mark Gordon Love, all of Chilhowie; five grandchildren (Brandi, Dusty, Kamiah, Sierra, and Colby); seven greatgrandchildren (Savannah, Drake, Jerzee, Brooklyn, Axel, Emma, Andy); and one greatgreat grandchild, Gracelyn Marie; nephews and nieces; and countless grand-dogs, grandcats, grand-horses, and whatever other animals her progeny has taken in to care for, following in her footsteps in her love for animals.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Mt. View United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Graham officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Williams Funeral Home. Condolences can be made to the family online at www.wfhchilhowie.com. Williams Funeral Home is serving the Love Family.

Ruby Peaks Martin

Ruby Peaks Martin, 95, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

She enjoyed oil painting and traveling with her companion to Alaska and Florida each year. She loved listening to Blue Grass and Big Band Music.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Martin; one sister, Hazel Virginia Dillion; one daughter, Barbara Lynn Hubley and one grandchild Chase Keniston.

Survivors include one daughter Diane Keniston; four grandchildren, Jennifer Beamer (Mike), Heather Keniston, Angela Leslie and Amanda Fox; and six greatgrandchildren, Michael, Ashley, Dominick, Hailey, Amity and Coral.

In keeping with her wishes, the body has been cremated there will be no services.

If desired, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Reese Funeral Home of Austinville is serving the Martin Family.

Ronald Cleveland Maynard

Ronald Cleveland Maynard, 77, of Wytheville died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.

He was the son of the late Homer and Inez Maynard. He was preceded in death by sisters Janna Maynard Tatro and Donna Maynard Marshall.

Maynard was a Vietnam veteran while proudly serving in the US Marine Corps. He was an avid woodworker while his true passion was fishing and being outdoors.

Maynard served as

See OBITUARIES, Page 7 settlement payments from manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids in 2022.

“The Virginia Department of Corrections greatly appreciates this funding from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority,” said VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson. “The VADOC remains committed to addressing Substance Use Disorder in the face of the opioid and fentanyl epidemic affecting the Commonwealth and United States.”

For years, the VADOC has progressively responded to the opioid epidemic in Virginia. In 2017, the VADOC was selected by the National Governor’s Association to participate in a learning lab designed to develop strategies to expand access to addiction treatment for inmates and probationers with opioid use disorder along with seven other states. In July 2018, the VADOC initiated its Medication Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative (MATRI) and provided intensive SUD programs and naltrexone (an injectable medication that can help prevent relapses into alcohol or substance use) to individuals released from specific pilot sites. The MATRI program expanded again in March 2021, when the VADOC allowed the continuation of buprenorphine at its Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP) fa- cilities. Due to its success at CCAP facilities, the program expanded throughout the VADOC in 2023. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder are available throughout the DOC based on review from a physician. VADOC has provided rapid REVIVE! training and two doses of naloxone to inmates and probationers released from 15 pilot locations since 2019. Additionally, the Department recently implemented a marketing campaign using posters drawn by incarcerated individuals to dissuade illicit substance use while incarcerated.

Various levels of SUD care are offered throughout the VADOC, including residential inpatient services, intensive outpatient groups, process groups, and peer mentor and peer support services.

For those on community supervision, the VADOC offers contracted SUD treatment services with vendors and Community Services Boards that in- clude inpatient residential treatment, intensive outpatient, and SUD assessment and referral services.

Continuing education and training on substance use disorder is an important aspect of service delivery. The VADOC offers various forms of virtual and in-person training and opportunities to attend addiction-specific conferences and webinars to further addiction education.