Wytheville Enterprise obits

Virginia B. Bryant
Virginia Carol Bonham Bryant, 42, of Wytheville died Saturday, Jan. 30. 2010.
A memorial service was held Thursday, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel.
She worked with the children at Spiller Elementary School where she was affectionately known as the “Craft Lady.”
She is survived by her husband, Donald R. Bryant; two sons, Jeremy L. Bryant and Joshua D. Bryant, both of the home; her mother, Polly Young of Wytheville; a sister, Robin Caldwell of Danville; a brother, Rocky Bonham of Floyd; grandparents, Ernest Bonham and Jenny Sutphin, both of Wytheville; and several nieces and nephews.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.

William G. Echols Jr.
William Gordon “Speck” Echols Jr., 87, of Marion died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, after a prolonged illness.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m. at Marion Baptist Church with Drs. Mark Ross and William Slater officiating. A private graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Chilhowie.
He graduated from Chilhowie High School, Bluefield College and Virginia Tech, receiving his degree in architectural engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Office of Research & Invention where he worked in the planning and research division.
In 1958, he formed the architectural and engineering firm of Echols, Sparger & Associates in Marion. For many years, it was the only firm between Roanoke and Johnson City, Tenn., and specialized in educational, municipal, health care, correctional designs and historic preservation. His work is seen throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southern states.
He was an active member of Kiwanis and a faithful contributor to both Bluefield College and Virginia Tech.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Gordon Echols Sr. and Lillian Grinstead Echols; a son, Charles; and two wives, Madonna Smith Echols and Jean McConnell Echols.
Survivors include three children, William Douglas Echols of Lake Elsinore, Calif., David Gordon Echols and wife, Rosita, of Knoxville, Tenn., Madonna Hoecker and husband, John, of Springfield; a sister, Betty Stout and husband, Dorman, of Johnson City, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Jennifer Hoecker of Houston, Texas, David Hoecker of Blacksburg, Matt Echols of Knoxville, Tenn., and Drew Echols of Knoxville, Tenn.; one niece; and one nephew.
The family will receive friends Saturday at the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 W. Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion is in charge of the arrangements.

Lena K. Matney
Lena Gay King Matney, 81, of Crockett died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, at Wythe County Community Hospital in Wytheville.
Funeral service was held Friday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Jonathan Hamman and Vicar Matt Carpenter officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
She was born Jan. 16, 1929, in Smyth County, daughter of the late Joseph and Amanda Hall King. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Jimmy Matney; and a brother, Wallace King.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, James F. “Jimmy” Matney Sr.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Joe and Melody Matney of Rural Retreat, Jim Jr. and Judy Matney of Hillsville, Doug and Susan Matney of Wytheville; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; five sisters, Myrtle Trivett of Maryland, Mozelle Bridges of Rural Retreat, Charlotte Kincer of Georgia, Betty Montgomery of North Carolina and Reba Kincer of Rural Retreat; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund, 375 St. Paul Church Road, Crockett, VA 24323.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat was in charge of the arrangements.

Clara H. Sharitz
Clara “Tiny” Harden Sharitz, 86, of Wytheville died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010.
Funeral service was held Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel with Pastors Richard Collins and Tommy Addison officiating. Interment was in the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery.
She was born Aug. 3, 1923, in Wytheville, daughter of the late James P. and Rachel Cline Harden. She attended Crockett Tabernacle.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maiden Sharitz Sr.; a son, Maiden Sharitz Jr.; a sister, Rosa Bell “Edna” Willis; three brothers, Johnny Harden, James “Jimbo” Harden and Charles Harden; and special friend, Jack Jackson.
Survivors include a son, David Bell of Marion; a grandson, Darren Bell of Wytheville; a great-grandson, Chase Kirby-Bell of Wytheville; a sister, Mauda Harden of Wytheville; a brother, Frank “Buzz” Harden of Galax; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Crockett Tabernacle Building Fund.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.