BUDDY LEE RIFE

Buddy Lee Rife, 80, of Clintwood, passed away January 10, 2020 with his family at his side. He was a member of Clintwood Baptist Church. Buddy attended Clintwood High School and in his earlier years was very involved in politics. He was past president of Clintwood Kiwanis Club and was always an avid Clintwood Greenwave Booster. Buddy owned and operated Happy Valley Golf Club. In 1995, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Wythe County Community Criminal Justice Board. He loved family, fast cars, fast women, all sports and dogs. Buddy was always ready with a story, joke and a smile.

He was born September 24, 1939 to Lillian Mullins Rife and Ernest C. Rife, as one of eleven children. He was the grandson of Virgie Mullins Rife and Robbie Samson Rife and Stuart and Maude Meade Mullins. He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, his sister, Judy Rife Daley and brothers, Robert and Bobby Rife, stepson, Mike Wright and beloved sister-in-law, Nicole Rife.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Marion Rife Bowley and Larry, Sondra Rife Belcher Brown and Ronnie; stepson, Mark Wright; 7 brothers and sisters, Gene Rife, Brenda Stanley and Pete, Phyllis Green and Michael, Patsy Baker and Larry, Donnie Rife and Doris, Danny Rife and Janice, Doug Rife and Michelle; grandchildren, Janine Bowley Townsend and Walter, Ashley Bowley, Nicholas Bowley, Ronnie Lee Brown and Sarah, Shane Brown and Dakota Brown; great grandchildren, Michael and Wyatt Townsend, Braxton and Brantlee Bowley, Mason and Weston Brown and Alston and Kasidy Brown; numerous nieces and nephews as well as many beloved cousins on the Mullins and Meade sides of the family.

Funeral services were handled by Clintwood Funeral Home and was held January 12, 2020 at Clintwood Baptist Church with Dustin Rife and Pastor Joe Hutchison officiating. Visitation was held from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., with the service starting at 3 p.m. Burial followed in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. Pallbearers were Bob Meade, Gary Meade, Robert Meade, Rick Mullins, Joe Mullins, Ronnie Lee Brown, Shane Brown, Dakota Brown and Mason Brown. Honorary pallbearers were the Mullins brothers, Donnie, Earl, Muncie, Bob, James, and Carl, Doug Fleming, Starlin Fleming, Dr. Lurton Lyle, Frank Dotson, Kelly Sutherland, Bob Baker, Doug Mullins, Royce Meade and Freddie Mooney.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Heart of Appalachia Animal Rescue, Clintwood, Virginia. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.clintwoodfuneralhome.com.

Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements