Raymond Ellis Cantrell
PILGRIMS KNOB, Va. – Mr. Raymond Ellis Cantrell, age 82, went to be with his
Lord on Feb. 21, 2004.
A lifelong resident of Pilgrims Knob, he was born on Feb. 25, 1921, to the late
James and Mary Louise Boyd Cantrell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded
in death by three sisters, three half sisters, four brothers and four half
brothers.
Mr. Cantrell was a disabled coal miner and a member of the U.M.W.A. Local 7327.
He was a member of the Pentecostal Faith Temple at Whitewood, Va., and was a
World War II veteran. He was a member of the John Ratliff Post 164 of the
American Legion at Grundy and the last surviving founding member of the
Whitewood Lions Club.
Mr. Cantrell is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Jeanette Vernie Bucklen
Cantrell; five daughters, Ellen Keen of Pilgrims Knob, Cheryl Smith of Red Root
Ridge, Va., Jenefer Rife of Slate Creek, Va., Althea Hicks of Jewell Ridge, Va.,
and Marsha Blankenship of Prater, Va.; two sons, Jeff Cantrell and Gregory
Cantrell, both of Pilgrims Knob; one sister, Rosie Keene of St. Paul; 13
grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 15 step-great-
grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, in the
Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, Va., with Revs. Troy Lester,
Lawrence Horn and Jack Ward officiating. Burial will follow in the Ferrell
Cemetery at Horn Mountain, Va. Pallbearers will be grandsons and Gary Bucklen,
Don Honaker and Allen Keen. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. German Iosif and
his nursing staff, Whitewood Lions Club members, Danny Hylton, members of the
Dismal River Rescue Squad and special care giver, Karen Stevens. John Ratliff
Post 164 of the American Legion at Grundy will conduct military graveside rites.
The family will receive friends at the Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain
from 6-9 p.m. Monday.