U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Lorraine Thompson Lester
Mrs. Lorraine Thompson Lester, age 86, passed away Saturday December 16, 2006 in Wellmont Hospice House of Bristol, Tennessee.
Mrs. Lester was born May 10, 1920 in Tazewell, County Virginia to the late William Archie Thompson and Alice McGowan Thompson. She was a 1942 graduate of King College. Mrs. Lester had spent most of her adult life in Washington County where she had taught school at Wallace Elementary School and retired after 26 years of service. She was a member of Maple Grove Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Lester is preceded in death by one sister, Lou Ellen Frank.
Mrs. Lester is survived by her husband, John K. “Kit” Lester, two sons, Robert Lester of Abingdon and John T. Lester and wife, Orangie of Mount Carmel, Tennessee. She is also survived by two brothers, William Archie Thompson, Jr. of Eustis, Florida and John Estill Thompson and wife Marion of Charlottesville, Virginia.
The funeral service for Mrs. Lester will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday December 19, 2006 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Mr. Stephen Talbert, CLP officiating. The committal service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday December 20, 2006 in Maple Grove cemetery. Everyone wishing to attend the committal service is asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 P.M. Honorary Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 5:00 P.M. –7:00 P.M. on Tuesday December 19, 2006.
Linda Billings Russ
Mrs. Linda Billings Russ, age 60, passed away Tuesday December 19, 2006 in Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Russ was born September 2, 1946 to the late Audrey McKinley Billings and Ruth Helton Billings. She was a retired school teacher with the Washington County School System where she taught Kindergarten for 35 years. Mrs. Russ was a member of Hands on Helpers of Glade Spring, Virginia and she taught the Primary Sunday School Class at Shady Grove United Methodist Church where she was a member.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas Lee Russ, one son Scott Russ and wife Anna of Meadowview, Virginia and one daughter, Missy Burke and husband, Joey of Abingdon, Virginia, two grandchildren, McKenzie Burke of Abingdon and Lauren Russ of Meadowview. One sister, Marie Vaught and husband Ron of Blountville, Tennessee. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Thursday December 21, 2006 in Shady Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald H. Smith officiating. The family will receive friends in the church from 6:00 P.M. until time for the service. The committal service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday December 22, 2006 in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Everyone wishing to attend the service is asked to meet at Shady Grove United Methodist Church by 1:30 P.M. to go in procession to the mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Lee Russ, Scott Russ, Joey Burke, Eric Bradley, Clint Williams, and Wayne Sexton.
Donations may be made in Mrs. Russ memory to Hands On Helpers, in care of Linda Byrd P.O. Box 566 Glade Spring, Virginia 24340 or United Methodist Holston Home for Children Box 188 Greenville, Tennessee 37744.
Howard Lenvel Wolfe
Mr. Howard Lenvel Wolfe, age 82, of 26311 Rich Valley Road, died Friday, December 22, 2006 at his home.
Born on February 6, 1924 in Washington County, Lenvel was a son of the late Farmbel Wolfe and Virgie Nunley Wolfe. He was lifelong resident of Southwest Virginia and was a well known retired carpenter. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II serving in the Army of Corp of Engineers and also as a Military Police Officer.
Survivors include his wife Kathleen Wolfe; two sons, Wayne Wolfe of Abingdon, VA and Harold Wolfe and wife Linda of Glade Spring, VA; three special stepchildren, Ozee Moore Wolfe and husband Roy of Abingdon; Ray Moore and wife Milda of Roanoke, VA and Claire Moore Branton and husband Holland; two brothers, Roy Wolfe and Eskel Wolfe both of Abingdon; half brothers, Demp Sykes and Gifford Sykes of Richmond, VA; his half-sister Lola Prater of Bassett, VA; two grandchildren, David Wolfe and Katherine Wolfe; six step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 P. M., Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Military graveside honors will be provided by the Highlands Fellowship Church Veteran’s Honor Color Guard. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 P. M. Sunday at the funeral home and then go in procession to the cemetery.
Norma Sue Smith
Norma Sue Smith, age 71, died Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at her home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Sadie Smith and a brother, Lewis Smith.
Survivors include her nephew Vernon Smith of Abingdon and many friends.
A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P. M. Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at Russell Memorial Gardens in Lebanon, VA with Rev. Richard Pannell and Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Those attending should assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Joey Gobble, Buck Gobble, Jeff Widener and Ronnie Worley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Melvin Gobble, Frank Grant and Reggie.
Rosie Price Jones
Rosie Price Jones, age 88, died Monday, December 25, 2006 in the Cambridge House Health Care Center in Bristol, TN.
Born on November 26, 1918 in the Denton’s Valley/Alvarado Community of “Washington County, Virginia, Rosie was a daughter of the late Sherman Price and Alice Reed Price. She was also preceded in death by her son Freddie Jones; her brothers, Selmer, Floyd, Vance, Glen and Lonnie Price and her sisters, Faley Widner, Hazel Albatinezs and Mabel Hilliard.
Survivors include her daughters Flossie (Flo) Brewer, Barbara Fields and husband Mike; her son Raymond Jones and wife Janet all of Bristol, TN; 11 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren; 16 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Additional survivors include her brothers Lacy Price, Conley Price, Rob Price and her sister Ruth Wade.
A funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P. M., Thursday, December 28, 2006 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Jeff Taylor officiating. The Burial and committal service will be at 1:00 P. M. Friday, December 29, 2006 in the Pine Mountain cemetery in Creston, NC. A funeral procession will leave at 11:30 A. M. Friday going to the cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:45 P. M. Thursday before the funeral service.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Jones, Freddie Brewer, Sonny Gragg, Brandon Kincer, Tony Woods and Stoney Gross.
Jack Leonard
Jack Leonard, age 81, of Glade Spring, Virginia, died Wednesday, December 27, 2006, following an illness.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS Cabot and had remained active in The Cabot Association. He was employed by Appalachian Power Company for over forty years and worked all over Southwest Virginia during his career.
He was preceded in death by a son, also Jack Leonard. Survivors include three daughters: E. Gay Leonard, Bonnie and Juan Henderson, Eva Leonard and John Garrett; two granddaughters: Holly and Nikki Rector of Abingdon; one sister, Ann Surber of Manassas, VA; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006, at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, Abingdon. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2006, at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon with Rex Boggs officiating. Military graveside honors will be provided by the Highlands Fellowship Church Veteran’s Honor Color Guard. Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Mr. Leonard to the Crossroads Medical Mission, 300 West Valley Drive, Bristol, VA 24201.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Abingdon Heart Care, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Grace Healthcare, and the private duty workers who have helped them in the last two years.
Kathryn M. Premock
Kathryn M. Premock, age 60, formerly of Venice, FL and Sussex, NJ died on December 27, 2006 at the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, TN.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Loretta Van Orden and her brother Theodore all of Sussex, NJ.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Fritz Premock; two daughters, Lisa Carriera of Branchville, NJ and Christine Faircloth of Franklin, VA and three grandchildren.
At the Kathryn’s request, her body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Paul Hearl
Mr. Paul Hearl, age 84, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 27, 2006, at his home in the Black Hollow Community of Washington County.
Paul was born in Washington County, Virginia, on August 4, 1922, and lived most of his life there. He served with the U. S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division during World War II. After the war, he settled in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, where he farmed and worked for Dan River Mills. He brought his family back to Washington County in 1969 and worked as an equipment operator until his retirement.
Paul loved life, his family and friends, and he enjoyed gardening, fishing and bluegrass music. He never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who know him. He was of the Baptist faith.
Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife, Hazel Osborne Hearl; his parents, Joe and Clara Hearl; one brother, Roy Fred Hearl; one sister, Dora Hearl; and one special daughter-in-law, Judy Hearl.
He is survived by two daughters: Sue Abel and husband Tommy of Bristol, VA, and Lori McManus and husband Dominic of Pinnacle, NC; six sons: Thomas “Doc” Hearl and wife Roxanne of Nashville, TN; Danny Hearl and wife Patti of Meadowview, VA; Joe Hearl and wife Marie of Abingdon, VA; Jeff Hearl and special friend Alice of Chesapeake, VA; Mark Hearl and wife Kathi of Saudi Arabia; and Andy Hearl and wife Lisa of Chesapeake, VA; two sisters: Lillian Wann of Danville, VA, and Pansy Tolliver of Abingdon, VA; two brothers: Garnett Hearl and Frank Hearl, both of Abingdon, VA; 18 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Paul Hearl will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2006, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with the Rev. Leonard Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with military graveside rites conducted by Highlands Fellowship Church Veteran’s Honor Color Guard. Sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Saturday night from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Earnest H. Large
Earnest H. “Sweat Bee” Large, age 87, died at his home the morning of Friday, December 29, 2006, surrounded by his loving family.
He was a native of Dickenson County and the son of the late Buddy and Ida Large. Mr. Large retired from the mining industry after forty-five years of service.
He was preceded in death by his wife Fannie Large, three brothers, and one sister.
Survivors include his sons: Ken Large and wife June of Albertson, NC; Bobby Large and wife Pat of Abingdon, VA; Charles Large and wife Cindy of Ocala, FL; and James Large and wife Carla of Flatwoods, KY; his daughters: Brenda Vanover and husband Charlie of Glade Spring, VA; Joyce Silcox and husband Jimmy of Abingdon; and Linda Austin and husband Jeff of Abingdon; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Mr. Large is also survived by three brothers: Denver Large of Branson, MO; Bill Large of Lebanon, VA; and Raymond Large of Grundy, VA; and one sister, Audrey Pape of Richmond, VA; his long-term companion, Minnie Large, and his lifelong friends, Avery and Wilma Bartley.
The funeral service for Mr. Earnest Large will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2006, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, with Paul Viers officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Mr. Large’s family will visit with friends Saturday night from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Harry Tignor
Mr. Harry Tignor, age 81, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2006 in the Johnston Memorial Hospital.
He born in Russell County, VA on March 4, 1925 to the late Smith and Stella Johnson Tignor. He was a retired farmer and was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Nash Tignor, a son, Giles Tignor and several brothers and a sister. He attended both Trinity Baptist Church, Abingdon, VA and Mt. Missionary Baptist Church, Bristol, VA.
Survivors include his children, Linda Gobble and spouse, Larry Gobble, Abingdon, VA, Sammy Tignor and spouse, Jewel Tignor, Meadowview, VA, Kyle Tignor and spouse, Connie Tignor, Larry Tignor and spouse, Stephney Tignor and Roger Tignor and spouse, Sandy Tignor all of Abingdon, VA, his sisters, Liza Bays, Bristol, VA, Cleo Reed, Chesapeake, VA, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren
The funeral service will be conducted Monday, January 1, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Harold Leonard and Brother Ronnie Blevins. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Randy Gobble, Ricky Gobble, Keith Gobble, David Tignor, Matthew Tignor and Scottie Hobson.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home.
