UDELL RATLIFF DARNELL, 77 years of age of Big Rock, VA, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at the Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Pricey Jane Stiltner Ratliff. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of the New Zion Freewill Baptist Church, Big Rock, VA. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and was a wonderful homemaker.

Mrs. Darnell was preceded in death by her first husband: Julius Rice; her second husband: Tunice Plumley and her third husband: Kenis Darnell.

She is survived by 1-Daughter: Rebecca and husband David Owens, Grundy, VA, 4-Sons: Jim Radford “Rad” and wife Joyce Rice, Grundy, VA, Julius Jr. and wife Patricia Rice, Vansant, VA, Robert and wife Mary Rice, Big Rock, VA, Jeffrey Scott Rice, Big Rock, VA, 4-Sisters: Emil Ratliff, Maynardsville, TN, Gerrell Anderson, Lick Creek, KY, Marie Recent, Williamsburg, KY, Ruth McCall, Illinois, 1-Brother: Bill Ratliff, Louisa, KY

Also, survived by 18-Grandchildren and 18-Great-Grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by 1-Son: Jerry Ray Rice; 3-Sisters: Villa Weaver, Retna Miller and Eula Wright; and 4-Brothers: Amil Ratliff, Ercell Ratliff, Jim Ratliff, Jr. and Hassell Ratliff.

Funeral Services for UDELL RATLIFF DARNELL will be conducted Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at the New Zion Freewill Baptist Church, Big Rock, VA, with Revs: E.C. Honaker, Britt Jackson and Eddie Wilson officiating with burial to follow in Mudlick Cemetery on Convict Hollow, Maxie, VA.

Friends may call at the New Zion Freewill Baptist Church Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Grandsons and Grandsons-in-Law.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Staff & Nurses of Buchanan General Hospital, Dr. Clinton Sutherland, Dr. Pallai, Dr. J.N. Patel, Physicians & Staff of Kingsport Catheterization Lab and Brothers of the New Zion Freewill Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.