VANSANT- Melster Alene Brown, age 94 of Cranesnest Road passed away Tuesday March 7, 2023 at Heritage Hall Health Care in Grundy, Virginia. Born in Buchanan County she was a daughter of the late Doley and Lilly O’quinn Yates. She was a homemaker, a member of Dry Fork Primitive Baptist Church for seventy -five years and had worked at Grundy High School in the cafeteria. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Rean Owens, second husband, Elder Elmer Brown, a daughter, Shelia Kay O’quinn, granddaughter, Patricia Ratliff, two brothers Bill Yates and Jackie Yates and a sister, Mary Deel.
Survivors include one daughter, Lois (Larry) Wright of Blountville, TN, granddaughter, Kristy Rife, two grandsons, Keith Wright and Craig Wright, two great-grandsons, Mason Wright and Chandler Rife, five great-granddaughters, Avery Wright, Kaelyn Rife, Brianna McGlothlin, Izabella Ratliff and Lindsey Ratliff, siblings, Jean Aikens, Pikeville, KY, Ruby Owens, Oakwood, VA, John Yates and Sue Bishop both of Prater, VA, Sam Yates of Kingsport, TN and Pete James Yates of Big Ridge, VA, step children, Ola Gay Clevinger, Donna Colman and Kennith Brown and son-in-law, Louie O’Quinn.
A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2023 at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.
Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.