Samuel C. "Choke" Artrip, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at his home. Born Feb. 2, 1929, in Artrip in Russell County, a son of the late Henry "Chick" Artrip and the late Ruth Artrip, he was a retired section foreman for the Norfolk Southern Railroad. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of the Weavers Creek Baptist Church, and loved fishing and gardening. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Idana Bullock and Wynevia Gregston; three brothers, Herman "Blue" Artrip, Armond "Zip" Artrip, and Marion "Sleepy" Artrip. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Phyllis Wallace Artrip; two daughters, Shanon Collins, Castlewood and Janet Bussey, Cleveland; two sons, Mark Artrip and wife Roxie, Cleveland and Benny Artrip and wife Michelle, Cleveland; 13 grandchildren, Adam Artrip and wife Beth, Brandon Artrip and wife Emily, Shawn Vance, Sarah Artrip, Nicolette Vance and fiance' Todd Price, Josuha Artrip, Justin Artrip, Danielle Artrip, Jesse Artrip, Sammy Bussey, Alex Bussey, T.J. Hill and wife Chelsea, and Amy Hill; five great-grandchildren, Isiaih Artrip, Mason Artrip, Ella Artrip, Marcus Artrip, and Justus Hill; two sisters, Rosa Collius and husband Paul, Cleveland, and Eura Vance, Lebanon; a sister-in-law, Lillian Artrip, Norton; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug., 10, 2009, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Rick Smith officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, in Ketron Memorial Gardens, with military honors conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864. Those attending are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Employees and retired employees of Norfolk Southern Railroad will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service, 291 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444, is serving the Artrip family.


Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 8/10/2009