BRISTOL, VA – Margaret Elizabeth Abelseth, age 70, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Wellmont Hospice House. She was the daughter of the late Thomas E. & Elizabeth Foster Abelseth. She was retired after many years as a supervisor with Sprint. She was a volunteer for more than 20 years with Wellmont Hospice House, Soup Kitchen, Healing Hands and Relay for Life. She was a member of West Hills Baptist Church. She was a cancer survivor for more than 26 years. She touched many lives and acquired many friends who will miss her dearly. She was also preceded in death by a nephew, Timmy Abelseth. Survivors included four sisters, Ruth Jackson & husband, Marvin of Bristol, VA, Mary Henninger of Bristol, TN, Louise Mays of Bristol, TN, and Faye Cook of Tampa, FL; four brothers, Fred Abelseth of Bristol, TN, Andy Abelseth of Bristol, VA, Frank Abelseth of Bristol, TN and Sam Abelseth of Bristol, VA; a special friend in Christ, Sandy Jones; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, in West Hills Baptist Church, with the Rev. Larry Hall and the Rev. Eddie Crusenberry officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Akard Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Eddie Abelseth, Tommy Abelseth, Mike Cook, Cameran Abelseth, Michael Abelseth, Luddie Booher, Donnie Salyer, Brandon Abelseth and Barrett Dye. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of West Hills Baptist Church. Memorials may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620; or to West Hills Baptist Church, 1769 Highway 11W, Bristol, TN 37620. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN, is in charge of arrangements.

BRISTOL HERALD COURIER, Thurs, Jan 8, 2009