Lawrence "Shorty" Rasnick, Sr.

Bristol, VA – Lawrence “Shorty” Rasnick, Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2014, at the Cambridge House in Bristol, TN. Mr. Rasnick was born in Wilder, VA to the late Benjamin Harrison Rasnake and Tiny Alafair Barton Rasnake. Lawrence served in the U.S. Army during WWII and retired as a coal miner with Pittson Coal after 42 years of employment. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Sarah, Lucille, and Mable; ten brothers, Junior, Pierce, Walter, Hubert, Oakley, Elbert, Graham, Ervin, Arnold, and Robert. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Stevens Rasnick; two sons, Jervie Dwaine (Jane) Rasnick and Lawrence (Judy) Rasnick, Jr.; two granddaughters, Melody Helton and Rebekah Sullivan; two great grandsons, Lucas Sullivan and Isaac Helton; one brother, Curvin (Molly) Rasnick; and one brother-in-law, Russell Stevens. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at the Forest Hills Chapel, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210, with Pastor Stephen Snead officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with nephews and friends serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Matt Helton and Ronald Tiller. Military Rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard. Visitation with the family will be held 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Higher Ground Fellowship XM Kidz, 14095 Lee Highway, Bristol, VA 24202, in Mr. Rasnick’s name. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Mr. Rasnick is being cared for by Farris Cremation & Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.