Leonard James Rife

Leonard James Rife, age 84, of Bastian, Virginia died Saturday, May 2, 2015 at his home in Bastian, VA. He was born February 24, 1931 in Grundy, VA and was the son of the late Fred and Watie Honaker Rife. Leonard was a retired coal miner of 45 years. He was a member of the Grapefield Church of God. He traveled to many churches in the county and surrounding areas to participate in singing. He sang with Roy and Rachel Breedlove and Joe Blevins. He sang with Ed Addington and Christine Cole, Steven Rife played the piano and organ. Leonard loved singing, gardening, coon hunting, cooking and fishing. He sang while Robin Stover played the piano; and sang with Graham and Charlene Cooper. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Steven Allen Rife; grandson, William Daniel Ward; great grandchild, Destiny Jade Irizary; three brothers, Johnny Rife, Ervin Rife and Hufford Rife; and two sisters, Mae Jackson and Faye Hess. Those who survive him are: His Wife, Geneva Fuller Rife Three Daughters: Charlene Rife Cooper and husband, Graham of Bastian, VA Sharon Rife Stover and husband Leon of Bastian, VA Deborah Rife Brewster and husband, Tommy of Bristol, TN One Son, Charlie Rife and companion, Aleta of Rocky Gap, VA Four Sisters: Cloia Rife Payne of Louisburg, NC Geneva Rife Blankenship of Manasas, VA Lorine Rife Deel and husband, Harold of Vansant, VA Marie Rife Griffith of Willard, OH One Brother, Fred Rife, Jr. and wife, Marlene of Pilgrims Knob, VA Seven Grandchildren: Pheobe Ward Largen and husband, Lyndon of Fancy Gap, VA; Gregory Stover and wife, Robin of Bland, VA; James Brewster of Bristol, TN; Wendi Cooper Goad and husband, Allen of Hillsville, VA; Courtney Rife Irizary and husband, David of Summerville, SC; Christopher Rife and wife, Marlena of Clarksburg, WV Seven Great Grandchildren: Robert Stover, Autumn Stover, Hunter Goad, Zachary Goad, Ariania Irizary, and Tristian Rife Funeral services for Leonard James Rife will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with the Rev. Bruce Hagee, Johnny Blessing, Jack Payne officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Gregory Stover, James Brewster, Christopher Rife, David Rife, Carlos Rife, Lyndon Largen, Allen Goad, Robert Stover, and David Irizary. Honorary pallbearers will be: Jimmy Helton, Roy Breedlove, Michael Rife, David Hobbs, Mark Rife and Micky Payne. Friends may begin to call at 6:00 pm on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Leonard James Rife

February 24, 1931 - May 2, 2015