Mr. Joseph Dale Hess, age 72, of the Shannon's Branch Road section of Baptist Valley, Virginia, passed away Friday, September 15, 2006 at his home following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Raven, Virginia and was the son of the late Joseph C. and Polly Pratter Hess.
He was lifelong resident of the area and was a retired coal miner from Island Creek Coal Company. He was a member of the Full Gospel Outreach Ministries and was a U.S. Army peacetime veteran.
Joseph Dale Hess has left us with a love and understanding that came from deep inside his heart. He worked and lived the life of a coal miner--a hard life to support his wife and children, but he always took the time to be the husband and dad God intended him to be. Joe and his precious wife Linda blessed many lives with their bluegrass Christian music: The Glorybound Travelers. This was their gift and they gave freely.
Joe loved his fruit trees and took great pride in his orchards and he loved to share with others. He was a proud man and was proud he served his country in the military and was proud of his eight children and many grandchildren and was most proud of his wife Linda. The life Joseph Hess lived was a testimony in itself. His friends, Harold Shrader, Delmar Cox, and Shawn Roberts, and the special times they spent together brought a great joy to Joe. Your wife, children, and friends thank Joseph Dale Hess for giving us love, joy, laughter, and respect. This was Joe Hess, husband, father, and friend. His memory will live forever in our hearts.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Kimberly Stevenson; three sisters, Annie Brown, Cleo Craighead, and Margaret Hess; three brothers, Ted Hess, Balford Hess, and Earl Hess; and two infant brothers, Willie and Earnest Hess.
Survivors are:
His Wife of 32 years: Linda Sue Hess
Four Daughters:
Nancy Boyd and husband, Jerry of Little Mount, South Carolina
Teresa Goodie and husband, Dave of Bristol, Virginia
Lisa Hess of Raven, Virginia
Michelle Winters and husband, Mike of Honaker, Virginia
Four Sons:
Michael Hess of Manassas, Virginia
Stevie Smith of Cedar Bluff, Virginia
Greg Smith and wife, Donna of Honaker, Virginia
Manual Breedlove and wife, Anne of Kentucky
Three Sisters:
Peggy Griffith of Raven, Virginia
Dolly Hamblin and husband, Cecil of Maryland
Mary Richardson and husband, David of Swords Creek, Virginia
Two Brothers:
Dallas Hess and wife, Barbara of Raven, Virginia
Jessie Hess and wife, Joanne of Raven, Virginia
Twelve Grandchildren: Keith, Jessica, Jeremy, Sara, Jamie, Jacob, Justin, Chelsea, Celestino, Makenna, and special grandchildren, Kayla and Kevin Stevenson.
Five Great Grandchildren: Savannah, Emma, Alex, Jordan, and Javin.
Special Friends: Harold Shrader, Delmar Cox, Anne Whitt, and Tamela Carey also survive.
Funeral services for Joseph Dale Hess will be conducted Monday, September 18, 2006 at 2:00pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia with the Rev. Grady McGlothlin and Rev. Otis Musick officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Harold Shrader, Delmer Cox, Paul Vance, Mike Roberts, Shawn Roberts, and Mike Winters. Honorary Pallbearer will be: Steve Hess. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call after 6:00pm Sunday evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia.
