Laura Belle Stilwell Whaley

Bristol, TN – Laura Belle Whaley, age 85, passed on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie, VA. Laura was born and raised in Richlands, VA and later moved to War, WV where she lived for 25 years. In 1976, she and her family moved to Bristol, TN. Laura was the manager of Spring Creek Marina for many years and was a member of Suburban Christian Church. She enjoyed cooking, fishing, hunting, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Whaley is preceded in death by her mother, Rosalie Stilwell Horn, and husband, Nathan “Bill” Whaley. She is survived by two daughters, Pamela G. Blackburn of Abingdon, VA, and Sheila A. Hayes and husband Leroy of Bristol, TN; two grandchildren, Michelle Barrett and husband John of Knoxville, TN, and Seth Hayes and wife Heather of Bristol, TN; three great-grandchildren, Hobie Dowell, Saylor Dowell, and Faith Hayes; and special friends, Angela O’ Quinn, and Betty and Eddie Williams. Visitation with the family will be held 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2015, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. Funeral services will begin at 3:00 p.m. with Minister Rich Pannell officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Bobby Church, James Jarvis, Sonny Scott, Eddie Williams, Tony Riffe, Seth Hayes, Hobie Dowell, and Herb Wilke serving as pallbearers. Larry Azure will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Mrs. Whaley is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.