WOPI regrets the loss of Estelle Wood of the Vanover Sisters. Estelle and her sister Monette were also known as The Famous Vanover Sisters on WOPI radio. Every Saturday afternoon, the sisters sang and entertained our listening audience. She will be missed.

Estelle Wood Mrs. Estelle Wood, age 88, of 1719 Windsor Ave., Bristol, TN, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Wellmont Hospice House. Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, July 23, 2011, from Shelby Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday at Akard Funeral Home. Full obit will run in Friday's paper. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN (423)989-4800 is serving the family of Mrs. Wood.

It's VANOVER Time!!

The Famous Vanover Sisters

"The Famous Vanover Sisters" are natives of Inman, Virginia, (near Big Stone Gap). They began singing in public at a very early age and first appeared "on the air" on WOPI Radio in 1942. They also entertained on the "Barrel of Fun Show" on the old WJHL Radio in Johnson City, Tennessee (now WJCW). They appeared on television in Knoxville in 1969 and on the "Dana Ray Variety Show" on cable in Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia and other area communities in the early 1970's.

From 1975 to 1995 the Vanovers were regulars at the Memorial Theater in Mountain Home, Tennessee. They have also appeared at "The Owl's Nest" on South Holston Lake since 1975 at the "Summer Shows" May through September.

Estelle and Monette, "The Famous Vanover Sisters," returned to WOPI Radio with their live 5:00-5:30 Saturday afternoon programs in 1990.

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