Charles "Clifford" Coburn

Charles “Clifford” Coburn, 88 of Route 4 Box 345 Bluefield WV, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, January 10, 2010. Born on January 2, 1922 in Brushfork, WV, he was the son of the late Charlie and Bessie Hager Coburn. He was a resident of Bluefield for most of his life and was employed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bluewell until his retirement. Mr. Coburn was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in 1945 with the 2nd Infantry Regiment in Northern France during World War II as a Machine Gunner, where he earned the Good Conduct Medal and a Purple Heart for Combat Infantry. He was a member of the Church by Christ Jesus in Pocahontas, VA. Clifford had a life-long passion for horses that has been passed down to his sons and grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing Blue Grass music on his banjo with family and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Edith Jane Byrd Coburn; children Geraldine Coburn, Elizabeth Maxine Coburn, and Naomi Ruth Coburn; grandson Michael Craig Epperson; great-grandsons Michael Lee Epperson and Dustin Dale Hawkins; brothers Samuel Coburn and William Coburn. Survivors include daughters Bessie Ann Nash and husband Gene of Bluefield, WV and Karen Coburn of the home; sons Marvin “Buck” Coburn and wife Sue of Dallas, TX, Delbert Coburn and wife Sharon of Bluefield, and Charles “Wayne” Coburn and wife Mary of Salisbury, NC; sister Verna Brewer and husband Dale of Chilhowie, VA; brother James Coburn of Lenoir, NC; 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson; best friend Edward “Shog” Shrader of Bluefield. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Michael Gibson and the Rev. Bruce Byrd officiating. Burial service will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery where David L. Epperson, Danny R. Epperson, Joseph C. Coburn, Gregory M. Tooley, Jerry W. Coburn, Terry M. Coburn and James E. Coburn will serve as pallbearers. Military honors will be performed by the WV Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council. Friends may call Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral home in Bluewell, WV.