Robert Cantrell

Robert E. Lee Cantrell, age 94, of Whitewood, Virginia passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tennessee. He was born in Whitewood, Virginia and was the son of the late Joseph Samuel and Armanda Jane Boyd Cantrell. Robert spent most of his life in the Whitewood area, working and raising his family. He lived at Benny’s Branch on Laurel Creek, and was a loving husband to Marcella M. Cordill Cantrell for 57 years. He worked for 57 years as a coal miner and was a member of the UMWA Local #1594 of Whitewood. Robert was an avid deer and turkey hunter, he tromped through many a mountains in Bland, Smith, Giles and Wythe counties. His leisure pursuit was bee keeping and he enjoyed going fishing, playing his favorite game which was fox and geese, playing horseshoes or looking for ginseng. Robert was a diehard Chevy man and very proud of Chevy trucks. Over the years, he loved spending time with his family, all 7 sisters, 3 brothers, 7 children, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was a true Christian of the Pentecostal Faith, and was a member of the Rosa Cole Church in Jewell Valley for over 30 years. He then joined the congregation in a new building moving to the Pentecostal Faith Temple where he was a member for 34 years. He had 60 years of perfect attendance in Sunday School and he shined his light to everyone he knew, he never smoked nor drank alcohol. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him but his light will shine on for God continually. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marcella M. Cordill Cantrell; one son, David Lee Cantrell, several sisters and brothers. Those who survive him are: Four Daughters: Roberta Neal of Cedar Bluff, Virginia Frances Belcher and husband, Steve of N. Tazewell, Virginia Betty Lowe and husband, Donald of Whitewood, Virginia Eva Gay Davis and husband, James of Richlands, Virginia Two Sons: Roy Lee Cantrell of Whitewood, Virginia Lawrence Cantrell of Whitewood, Virginia Two Sisters: Margaret Harman and husband, J.D. of Towne, Michigan Dorothy Byrd of Cedar Bluff, Virginia One Brother: Henry Elmer Cantrell and wife, Gloria of Lake City, Florida Ten Grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and nine great great-grandchildren also survive him along with special friends at Community Home Care, Helping Hands Home Health, Bristol Regional 4th floor west nurses, the hospice House Staff and his caregivers, Charlie Smith and Wanda Clayborne who dedicated their time to taking special care of him. Funeral services for Robert E. Lee Cantrell will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 19, 2012 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel, Richlands, Virginia with Rev. Troy Lester, Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Stuart Cole officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers are Ronnie Cantrell, Marvin Lowe, Frankie Lowe, Bobby Lowe, Charles Neal, Jr. Charlie Smith, Gary Cantrell and David Cantrell. Visitation will be Friday, August 17, 2012 and Saturday, August 18, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home, 1401 Second Street; Richlands, Virginia. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Robert Cantrell

January 21, 1918 - August 14, 2012