U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Icie Tiney Pope Graybeal
Mrs. Icie Tiney Pope Graybeal went to be with the Lord on March 7, 2007, at her home. She was born in Washington County, Virginia, a daughter of the late Kerman A. and Hallie Largen Pope. She had lived in the Abingdon area all of her life. Mrs. Graybeal was a member of Spoon Gap Freewill Baptist Church.
She was the widow of Rev. Palmer J. Graybeal and was preceded in death by her son, Rev. Lawrence R. Graybeal; one grandson, Darin M. Graybeal; brother Homer Pope; and sisters Dicie Pope, Ora Pope, Edith Price, Lillie Roark and Zelphia Huff.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Claude and Pat Graybeal of Abingdon; daughters and sons-in-law, Avil and Roy H. Mitchell, Jr. of Abingdon; Marcella and John W. Caudill of Salisbury, NC; and Mary and Jerry W. Leonard of Bristol, VA; sister Janie Norris of Abingdon; sister- and brother-in-law, Nona and Garland Graybeal of Abingdon; and sister-in-law, Nerine Pope of Abingdon.
Surviving grandchildren are: Lisa Bolling, James Graybeal, Lorne Graybeal, Ceretia West, Elisabeth-ann Graybeal, Mary-ann Davis and Matthew Mitchell. Great-grandchildren are: Jacob Bolling; Gabriel, Lillianna and Angelina West; and Jude Mitchell. Other survivors include two special cousins who she thought of as her sons, Preston Senger and Dale Senger; a special friend who she thought of as a daughter, Judy Martin Gearing; other special friends, Lethia Wyatt and Martha Moore; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Mrs. Icie Tiney Pope Graybeal will be held Saturday, March 10, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel, Main Street, with Rev. Roger Ball officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View United Methodist Church cemetery in Abingdon. Active pallbearers will be Tony Roark, Tommy White, Harold Puckett, Jerry Miller, Jimmy Price, Wayne Harless, Gary Roark, and Doug Senger. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewey Brown, Steve Harris, Jim Gregg, Joe Garrett, Ralph Puckett, McKinley Miller, James Wyatt, and Herbert Bailey.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Sam Weddington, Esq.
Sam Weddington, Esq., beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed quietly with his family by his side at his home on Friday, March 9, 2007. He was born in Pikeville, KY, a son of the late Crit Weddington and Ella Stanley Weddington.
Mr. Weddington attended Berea College in Berea, KY, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University. He graduated from Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, VA, with a J.D. degree, and he was a member of the Tennessee State Bar Association.
Sam served as a lay pastor for many years, most recently in the Presbyterian Church USA. He was a member of Green Spring Presbyterian Church and was a very talented musician, sharing his gift through playing with the Green Spring Men
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Delsie Brunty Weddington; two sisters, Edith Lillian Weddington and Lorene Weddington Nunley; three step-brothers: Edgar, Jr., Kenneth Ray, and Hansford Brunty; and one step-sister, Delores Sartain.
Survivors include his wife, Dr. Deborah Lilly Weddington of Abingdon; two sons: Samuel T. Weddington and wife, Eungyoung Kim of Charlotte Courthouse, VA; and Robert Michael Weddington, Esq., and wife Jennifer Lynn Weddington of Jonesville, NC; two grandchildren: Samuel Kwang Weddington and Joan Young-Ji Weddington; seven sisters: Gladys Runyon of Aurora, CO; Fay (Wayne) Blackburn of Sidney, KY; Phyllis (Gene) Music of Portage, MI; Mable (Robert) Kitchen of Bethel, OH; Ernestene (Joe B.) Varney of Sidney, KY; Kaye Gutowski of Daytona Beach, FL; and Sue (Richard) Kupchunas of Ormond Beach, FL; two brothers: Russell (Janet) Weddington of Farmville, VA and Buddy (Deloris) Weddington of Columbus, OH; four step-sisters: Mary Cleghon and Stella (Jack) DePue, both of Elizabeth WV; Rebecca Stacy of Circleville, OH; and Linda Scott of Madison Heights, MI; three step-brothers: Paul (Mary) Brunty of Dayton, OH; Elton Brunty and Noah (Martha) Brunty of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Funeral services for Sam Weddington will be held Monday, March 12, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. at Green Spring Presbyterian Church. The service will be led by his son and daughter-in-law, Samuel T. Weddington and Eungyoung Kim, who are pastors in the Presbyterian Church. Entombment will follow at Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Gene Lilly, Russell Weddington, Buddy Weddington, Bob Kitchen, Terry Allebaugh, Michael Bridges, Brian Floyd, David Mullins, Donald Sutton, Nancy Coulling, Lonnie Keith, Jr., and James A. Leonard II.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 11, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Sam Weddington Memorial Fund at Green Spring Presbyterian Church, 22007 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, VA 24211.
Maynard E. Cumbow
Maynard E. Cumbow, age 83, died March 11, 2007 at Life Care Center of Jefferson City, Jefferson City, TN
He was retired from Raytheon Company and served in the U. S. Navy during World War 2. Mr. Cumbow was a deacon at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church; was a Past President of Bristol Shrine Club and Past Potentate of Jericho Temple. He had been active with the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Mr. Cumbow served for 17 years on the Virginia Electoral Board. He was preceded in death by his parents: Mr. and Mrs. George Cumbow and 5 brothers: Tanner, Ford, Beecher, Gifford and Cecil Cumbow.
Survivors include: his wife of 60 years, Lucille D. Cumbow; 1 son: Wayne Cumbow and wife Andrea of Talbott, TN; 1 brother: Seldon Cumbow and wife Lilly of Abingdon.; 2 grandchildren: Jarrod Cumbow; and his wife Christy of Morristown, TN and Victoria Cumbow, Auburn, AL; 1 great grandchild: Spencer; 3 step great grandchildren: Kristopher, Kyler and Clai.; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Maynard E. Cumbow will be held Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 8:00 PM at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA with the Rev. Bob Jones and the Rev. Jim Cumbow officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main Street.
Committal services will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Military rites will be presented by Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers: Jim Mullins, Jarrod Cumbow, Gary Shipley, Joe McReynolds, Bud Bolling, Charlie Hicks, Bill Stevens, Ralph Mills. Honorary bearers are: Nephews, 2 special neighbors: Gene Akers and Bob Peck and the Bob Brown and Ron Odum Sunday School Class at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church.
Iris Casteel Jones
Iris Casteel Jones, age 91, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
She was preceded in death by her husband Hubert Jones, her parents William H. Casteel and Anna B. Casteel and a special nephew C. Kenneth Raines.
Iris was a native of Washington County and prior to her retirement in Abingdon, she and her husband had managed W. W. Mac Stores in Virginia, Florida and South Carolina. She was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her sister Mildred C. Raines-Morgan of Abingdon; among her many nieces and nephews are special nephews, Jerry Raines and wife Elaine of Winter Park, FL and Douglas C. Raines and wife Coleen and special niece Mary C. Thompson and husband Tim all of Abingdon. Additional survivors include two sisters-in-law, Rheba H. Casteel of Abingdon and Mabel P. Casteel of St. Augustine, FL.
A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P. M. Wednesday in Knollkreg Memorial Park with Rev. Nicole Hill officiating. The family will leave in procession from the home at 12:30 to go to the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Tuesday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon. Memorial contributions can be made to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 or to American Alzheimer’s Association, 674 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
Roberta Wright
Mrs. Roberta Wright, age 84, died at her home Monday, March 12, 2007. She was a former resident of Flushing, Long Island, New York and had lived in Abingdon since 1987. Mrs. Wright was a member of the Valley Street Baptist Church where she was a member of the church choir and former president of the Baptist Training Union.
Survivors include her husband: Leonard Wright; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 16, 2007 from 11:00 AM until 12 Noon at the Valley Street Baptist Church. Funeral services for Mrs. Roberta Wright will be held Friday at 12 Noon in the Valley Street Baptist Church with the Rev. William Austin, the Rev. Dr. Don Paxton and the Rev. John Stapleton officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Michael Jones, Lewis Jones, Frank Foster, William Yeargin, Melvin Jones, Jimmy Anderson and Benny Dunston. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Williams, Glen Poe, Bob Hash and John Sheffey.
Frances Hilda Hahn St. John
Frances Hilda Hahn St. John, age 62, died Sunday, March 11, 2006 in the Specialty Select Hospital of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband Danny St. John; her parents, Vernie Barret Hahn and Robert Hahn; two brothers, Lee Hahn and Charles Hahn and her niece Janie and nephew Travis.
She is survived by two sons, Kenny St. John and wife Beth of Glade Spring and Danny St. John and wife Gina of Bristol, TN; three daughters, Francesca St. John, Melissa St. John Edwards and Kathy Sasey and husband Tony all of Abingdon; her grandchildren, Chloe St. John, Alanis St. John, Ciara Jordan, Robert Hahn, Seth St. John, J. J. Jordan, Terry Underwood, and Jacob Underwood; two great grandchildren, Robert Hahn Jr. and Kennedy Hahn; two special children Briana Guy and Cody Guy; two brothers, Fred Hahn and wife Cathy and Brad Hahn and wife Debbie all of Bristol, VA; two sisters, Ann Holmes and husband Bud of Meadowview, VA and Carlene Hahn of Abingdon, VA; four sisters-in-law, Ann Hahn, Linda Mann, Carolyn Walker and Wilma Willis and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P. M., Wednesday, March 14, 2007 in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA) with Rev. Wayne Gobble officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12 Noon until the time of service Wednesday.
Pallbearers will be Barry Guy, J. J. Jordan, Bobby Rosenbaum, Robert Hahn and Ron Foster and Jeff Hahn.
Jarvis Geraldine Henderson
Jarvis Geraldine Henderson, 80, of the Poor Valley community, departed this life on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
Born in Ringwood, North Carolina on January 8, 1927, Geraldine was the daughter of the late Jim and Tina Brannon Henderson of Saltville, Virginia. She will be lovingly remembered by many for her boundless energy in helping others, her unlimited generosity, kindness and compassion.
Geraldine was a member of the Valley View Assembly of God Church where she had once served as secretary and treasurer of the Sunday School for 35 years. She was a member and past Worthy Matron of the Saltville Chapter No. 151 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Active in the Washington County Democratic Party, she had served as an election official at the Hayter’s Gap precinct for 35 years. Geraldine was also active in the Hayter’s Gap Senior Citizens.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. James Sanders Henderson, Jr. and her beloved sister, June Henderson Zebley.
She is survived by her son whom she so deeply cherished, James Sanders Henderson III and wife, Jill, Saltville; brother-in-law, Elwood Zebley, Saltville; special niece, Amy Zebley and husband Tony Benavidez, Bullhead City, Arizona; and special nephew, Buddy Zebley, Largo, Florida; grandchildren, Jay and Marisa Henderson, Rocky Gap, Virginia; many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and church family.
Visitation will take place at Valley View Assembly of God on Friday, March 16, 2007, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Eastern Star memorial services and celebration of life at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Jonathan Jonas and Pastor Dennis Banks officiating. Burial will follow at the Henderson Family cemetery. Family and friends may call or visit at Geraldine’s home at any time during this time of bereavement.
Pallbearers will be Joe P. Johnson, III, Chad Boardwine, Jim Edmondson, Sage Johnson, Andy Shrader, Frank Blair, Buddy Zebley and Brian Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Parker, Melvin Ritchie, Dan Smith, Hugh Caldwell, Ben Henderson, Roy Caldwell, Richard Eldreth, Lee Roy Holmes, Mark Sweat, John Henderson, Fred Newman, and Dennis Godfrey.
In lieu of flowers, Geraldine had requested that contributions be made to Valley View Assembly of God Church, 27435 Poor Valley Road, Saltville, Virginia 24370; Valley Rescue Squad, 7712 Hayter’s Gap Road, Saltville, Virginia 24370; or the Clinch Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 7350 Fire Department Road, Abingdon, Virginia 24210 . The family has also established the Geraldine Henderson Memorial Fund at Chilhowie Elementary School for the benefit of a child in need. Contributions may be sent to the school c/o Geraldine Henderson Memorial Fund, CES, P.O. Box 348, Chilhowie, VA 24319.
Mae Robinson
Mae Robinson, age 93, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007 in hospice care at Southern Plantation in Loganville, GA.
She was the daughter of Harmon Arrington and Phoebe Fuller Arrington. Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, L. G. “Granville” Robinson and her sister, Lake “Flo” Arrington Traylor.
Mae was born in Viers, VA and raised in Dickenson County. She and her husband lived in the Breaks and Haysi areas. They later moved to Lebanon, VA where they resided twenty years before retiring to Abingdon, VA. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved to cook and care for her family. She enjoyed gardening, quilting and was a champion golfer. Mae was a member of the Abingdon Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are her daughter, Betty Robinson Rakes and husband Rod of Grayson, GA; her son, Chad Robinson and wife Pat of Marion, VA; her brother, Glenn Arrington and wife Beth of Blountville, TN; her grandchildren, Jeff Rakes and wife Celeste of Dover, DE, Janene Rakes Meents and husband Peter of Lilburn, GA, Ginger Rakes of Lilburn, GA and Josh Robinson of Atlanta, GA, also surviving are seven great grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, VA. A funeral service will follow in the chapel with Pastor Bill Leuzinger and Pastor Jeff Rakes officiating.
Interment will be Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Douglas Kirk Gentry
Douglas Kirk Gentry, 45, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007. A native of Abingdon, he was a 1980 graduate of Abingdon High School. Doug graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987 and was a member of Washington Springs United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Reeves Carlton Gentry; his maternal grandmother, Vea Worth Dollar; and his paternal grandparents, Troy and Cora Gentry.
Survivors include his mother, Cara Sue Gentry of Jefferson, NC; his wife, Donna Kestner Gentry of Abingdon; one daughter, Dora Alyce Gentry of Abingdon; two brothers: Dan Gentry and Dwayne Gentry, both of Lexington, KY; several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and special friend, Patty Canonico.
Funeral services for Doug Gentry will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 17, 2007, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens) with Rev. Jeff Wallace officiating and special speaker, Joe Clark. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Mark Landreth, Tom Holland, Preston Swiney, Eddie Copenhaver, Bill Silkworth, Allen Gentry, Greg Ramey, and Gerald Blankenship. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Gentry, Carl Gentry, Bobby Gentry, Jack Gentry, Bill Gentry, Gilbert Gentry, Jim Gentry, Ron Horton, and Don Horton.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the Forest Hills Chapel.
Jack C. Smith
Jack C. Smith, beloved Food City Founder and Chairman of the Board passed away earlier today at his home in Abingdon, Virginia, following a brief illness. Smith, 81, was born August 21, 1925 in Grundy, Virginia. He was the only child of Buchanan County natives Curtis and Elizabeth Belcher Smith.
Mr. Smith graduated Grundy High School in 1942 and the United States Naval Academy in June 1947, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After marrying the love of his life, Jewell Garland Smith in September, 1947, Smith served seven years active duty in the US Navy, stationed in Panama and San Diego, CA. He returned to his hometown of Grundy, Virginia in 1954, where he opened his first Piggly Wiggly store in 1955, with the help of three special stockholders: his father, Curtis Smith, uncle, Earl Smith and cousin, Ernest Smith.
Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. operates 95 Food City and Super Dollar supermarkets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. The company also operates its own distribution center and water bottling facility, Misty Mountain Spring Water, L.L.C. Smith served as Food City’s Chief Executive Officer until passing the torch to his son, Steven C. Smith in 2001.
His strong sense of community involvement was evident in the countless organizations supported by Smith and Food City. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including Tennessee Grocer’s prestigious 1996 Grocer of the Year Award and, the Junior Achievement Tri-Cities TN/VA Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 1999. Smith served on various boards, such as the Federal Reserve Board of Richmond, VA, Virginia Food Dealers Association Board of Directors, holding the office of President in 1981, President of National Piggly Wiggly Operators Association in 1969 and President and member of the Grundy Rotary Club. He was also a long-time member of National Grocers Association, where he received The 2002 Clarence G. Adamy “Great American” Award, declaring Smith “A man of many accomplishments and a true gentleman. A pioneer and entrepreneur, providing the foundation and vision to grow Food City from a small neighborhood grocery store to a modern community supermarket leader ”. His hobby was his work.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 56 years, Jewell “Judy” Garland Smith in 2003. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Steven C. Smith, Food City President and CEO and Debbie Smith of Abingdon, VA; two daughters and sons-in-law, Stephanie and Frank David of Richlands, VA and Sharon and Thomas Hembree of Abingdon, VA; one sister-in-law, Ione Saylor of Westminster, MD, two brothers-in-law, Bob Watts of Annapolis, MD and Claude Garland and wife Angela Garland of Westminster, MD, six grandchildren, Alison David, Joshua David, Drew Hembree, Melanie Hembree, Katie Smith and Chloe Smith and one special cousin, Lee Smith of Hillsborough, NC.
The family will visit with friends and guests Sunday, March 18, 2007 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Highlands Fellowship Church, 22417 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA. The funeral service will be Monday, March 19, 2007 at 1:00 PM with Mr. Bill Neeley and Mr. Mike Rife officiating. Entombment will follow in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Abingdon, VA, with military rites conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard.
Pallbearers will be Phyllis Scott, Jesse Lewis, Bob Neeley, Johnny Cecil, Emerson Breeden, Pam Murray, Drew Hembree and Josh David. Honorary pallbearers will include all Food City associates.
The family would like to express special appreciation to Dr. Emory Robinette, Dr. Sue J. Prill, Dr. Timothy McGarry, Dr. James Denton, Dr. Chad T. Couch, Dr. T.L. Whitman, the staff of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital, area physicians and special caregivers Teresa Phipps, Sandy Patrick, Stella Blackwell, Rose Taylor, Tammy Hardee, Jessica Scott, Ann Morris, Brenda Malone and Brenda Marshall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jack C. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O The Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation, 1838 Elm Hill Pike, Suite 136, Nashville, TN 37210.
Robert "Bob" Casey
Robert “Bob” Casey, 91 passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at his home.
He was preceded in death by a grandchild, three great grandchildren, two sisters, Myrtle C. Duncan and Pauline Venable, one brother, Earnest Casey.
He is survived his wife of 73 years, Edna Casey, along with 12 children, 7 daughters and 5 sons; Freda Casey Myers and husband Richard, Pearl Casey Carrier and husband J. W. “Bill”, All of Piney Flats, TN, L. C. Casey and wife Linn, Dudley Casey and wife Hazel all of Meadowview, Va, Geneva Casey, Abingdon, VA, Dorothy Casey Ray and husband Mack, Jewel Casey Ray and husband Richard, Jr., Shirley Casey Ray and husband Clyde, Alvin Casey and wife Linda, James Robert Casey, Jr., and wife Audrey, Tony Casey and wife Betty, Daphne Casey Lewis and husband Wayne Jessie all of Saltville, VA, his brothers and sisters, Mable Casey, Abingdon, VA, Bill Casey and Stewart Casey both of Meadowview, VA, Cleo Pierce, Abingdon, VA, Harrison Casey, Glade Spring, VA, Juanita Blevins, Bristol, VA, Jennings Casey, Baltimore, MD, Marvin Casey, Abingdon, VA, Dean Casey, Glade Spring, VA and Helen C. VanHose, Abingdon, VA, 24 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren.
The graveside service will be conducted Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fall Hill cemetery. Interment will follow. Those attending are asked to assemble at the cemetery on Saturday.
Pallbearers will be his sons, Alvin, Tony, Dudley, Bob, Jr., L. C. and a nephew Eddie Casey. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Campbell, Glen Taylor, Robert Anderson, Paul “Bossie” Collins, John Eastridge and Richard Eastridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fall Hill cemetery Fund, c/o Jewel Ray, 27285 North Fork River Road, Saltville, VA 24370.
The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
