ABINGDON, Va. Jessie Columbus Stanley, age 80, passed on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Stanley was born, raised and resided in Clintwood, Va., before moving to Abingdon 10 years ago. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served two tours of duty in the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Jessie attended First Freewill Baptist Church in Bristol and worked for Contracting Enterprises in Clintwood for many years. He loved woodworking, horses and his family. Mr. Stanley is preceded in death by his parents, Delmon and Princess Moore Stanley; son, David Jess Stanley; brothers, Carlton Stanley, Roy Lee Stanley, James Alford Stanley and Gaines Edward Stanley; and sisters, Myrtle Kelley, Ollie Mullins, and Agnes Stanley. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley Edwards Stanley; two sons, Randall Lee (Rachelle) Stanley of Clintwood and Jeff B. (Kay) Stanley of Clintwood; two daughters, Deborah L. (Gene) Carswell of Bristol, Va., and Tina (Todd) Fleming of Powhatan, Va; one brother, Elder Stanley of Clintwood; one sister, Lena Mullins of Bristol, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Tiffany Mullins, Logan Stanley, Brianne Carswell, Katelyn Carswell, Arynn Carswell, Josh Fisher, Jeremy Fisher, Ginger Hamilton, Whitney Stanley, Hank Fleming and Hayden Fleming; and three great-grandchildren, Braden Stanley, Madison Moore and Mason Hamilton. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor David Mizelle officiating. Visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday just prior to the service. A graveside committal service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday at Knollkreg Memorial Park with Justin Mullins, Todd Fleming, Gene Carswell, Jeremy Fisher, Logan Stanley and Cody Hamilton serving as pallbearers. Military rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The Stanley family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.

Published in Bristol Herald Courier on December 3, 2012