Laura Mae Whitson, 98, Blair, died April 3, 2004, at Britthaven of Tri-Cities after a long illness.

A native of Letcher County, she was a homemaker and a member of Blair Chapel Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mart D. Whitson; her parents, David and Mary Boggs Sturgill; three children: John Dudley Whitson, Betty Jo Raleigh and Wincie Ann Raleigh; a granddaughter, Bobbie Day; and two great-grandsons: Jamie Taulbee and Kyle Sturgill.

Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Blanche Whitson, Dandridge, Tenn.; a son-in-law, Ray Raleigh and wife, Alice, Mount Vernon; two sisters: Tora Bowling, Esserville, Va.; and Florence Adams, Wise, Va.; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation is today after 10 a.m. at Tri-City Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted today at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Roderick Raleigh and Bill Maggard officiating.

Burial will follow in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap, Va.

Roger Raleigh, Rayburn Doss, Mark Doss, Jeff Doss, Wesley Bailey, Marty Whitson and Tim Peace will serve as pallbearers.

Tri-City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.