U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Mark Bower
Mark Bower, 85, of Pulaski, Va., died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in a multi-vehicle accident near Louisville, Ky.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 3, at the First Church of the Brethren in Pulaski, Va., with the Rev. John Collins and the Rev. David Hoover officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Va., with Dr. David Hoagland officiating.
Born Aug. 24, 1917, in Noble County, Ind., he was a son of the late Elder Clarence Elsworth and Iva Elizabeth Brown Bower. He was a 1936 graduate of Winter Park High School, Winter Park, Fla. He attended Bridgewater College where he met his first wife, Helen. He served on the Board of Trustees of Bridgewater College for 20 years. He also was a 1938 graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained his degree in funeral service. In 1970, he and his first wife, Helen Via Bower, purchased Strickler's Funeral Homes Inc. from Stanley and Bessie Strickler which is now trading as Bower Funeral Chapels in Pulaski, Va., and Dublin, Va., where his family owns and operates the family business. He was honored in 1994 at the Virginia Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention as a "Golden Licensee" for those active in funeral service for 50 years, and had been a licensed funeral director for over 60 years. He was a life member of the Church of the Brethren in Florida and Virginia where he had served as a deacon. He was a longtime member of the Dublin Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by his first wife in 1975, Helen Frances Via Bower; one brother, Dallas Kay Bower; one sister, Ruby Bower Brallier; a mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jerry N. Via and Lala Flora Via; a brother-in-law, Richard Paul Via; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Via Koogler.
Survivors include his wife, Alberta Thompson Bower and her family of Pulaski, Va.; a daughter and son-in-law, Dana Bower and Alex Rygas of Pulaski, Va.; one son and daughter-in-law, Dallas Paul and Betty Bower of Front Royal, Va.; four grandsons, Spencer Alexandre Rygas, Aaron Christopher Rygas and Adrian Mark Rygas, all of Pulaski, Va., and David P. Bower of Roanoke, Va.; a great-granddaughter, Anna Lauren Rygas of Pulaski, Va.; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Christine and George Merriman of Fieldale, Va.; and a sister-in-law, Frances K. Via of Daleville, Va.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski, Va.
Bower Funeral Chapel in Pulaski, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Aubrey Sydnor Dodson
Aubrey Sydnor Dodson, 82, of Pearisburg, Va., died Thursday, June 26, 2003.
Funeral services were held Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the Sheffey Memorial United Methodist Church in Staffordsville, Va., with the Rev. Henry Dodson of Lynchburg, Va., officiating. Interment was in the Birchlawn cemetery, Pearisburg, Va.
He received his formal education from Hampden-Sydney College, Randolph Macon, Lynchburg College, Notre Dame University, and the University of Richmond, School of Law. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, governor of Ruritans, member of the International Order of Odd Fellows, on the Board of Trustees of Sheffey Memorial United Methodist Church, New River Valley Planning Commission, chairman of the Files County Board of Supervisors, and member of the American Legion. He went to Giles County, Va., in 1946, as a sanitary engineer with the Virginia State Health Department. He met Irene Parcell in Trigg, Va., and they married
shortly after meeting. He was the owner of the Holiday Motor Lodge and the founder of the Dodson Realty Company. He was a licensed appraiser and broker for Virginia and West Virginia, where he and his daughter, Connie, worked together for 25 years. He attended Sheffey Memorial United Methodist Church in Staffordsville, Va., for 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Sydnor Dodson and Hallie Turpin Holland Dodson; brothers, Albert "Jack" Dodson, Frank Dodson, Harry Dodson, Robert Dodson, Malcom Dodson, Arthur Dodson, Bert Dodson, and William Edward Dodson; and a sister, Connie Kolden.
Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Connie Jean Dodson "Miss Conn" and Audrey Sue Dodson-Walter "Santa" and Gary Walker, all of Giles County, Va.; two grandsons, Samuel Robertson of Newport Beach, Calif., and James Robertson of Fairfax, Va.; one granddaughter and her spouse, Dommetae and Tyler Jarrells of Pearisburg, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Brittney Jarrells and Tyler Jarrells; and his friend, Gladys Parcell of Salem, Va.
A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home in White Gate, Va., was in charge of the arrangements.
Goldie Jane Hamilton Gordon
Goldie Jane Hamilton Gordon, 102, of the Mechanicsburg section of Bland County, Va., died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in Asbury Place, Wytheville, Va.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 2 p.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, Va., with the Rev. Donald White officiating. Interment will be in the Mechanicsburg Community cemetery.
Before her seven-month stay at Asbury Place, she was a lifetime resident of the Mechanicsburg section of Bland County, Va. She was born Oct. 3, 1900. She was a member of the Byrnes Chapel United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Thomas Gordon; her parents, Saunders Moore Hamilton and Sally Ann Mustard Hamilton; an infant daughter, Anna Lee Gordon; and a son and daughter-in-law, Donald Frederick Gordon and Nell Virginia Franklin Gordon.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Douglas Lee and Nedde Irene Hounshell Gordon of the family home; grandchildren and their spouses, Michael Don Gordon of Keokuk, Iowa, Terry Stephen and Sharon Strock Gordon, Douglas Lee Gordon II, and Andrea Jane Gordon, all of Mechanicsburg, Va., Laura Evelyn Gordon Harkey and Jonathan Lee Harkey of Macon, Ga., and Robert Thomas Gordon of Roanoke, Va.; two great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Byrnes Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Elizabeth G. Newberry, Route 2 Box 379L, Bland, VA 24315.
A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home in White Gate, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Frances Kemper Allen
Frances Craig Kemper Allen, 82, of Wytheville, Va., died Tuesday, July 8, 2003.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at the Wytheville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Brad Simpson, the Rev. Tom Sproule and the Rev. Edward Schaack officiating. Interment will be in the East End cemetery, Wytheville, Va.
She was a clerk for Wythe Sheet Metal for many years and was a member of the Wytheville Presbyterian Church. She was an active leader in the Girl Scouts of America.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Helen Floyd Kemper Sr.; her husband, John O. Allen; two sisters, Virginia K. Rozell and Laura K. Archer; and two brothers, Harvey Kemper Jr. and James "Buddy" Kemper.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Fred Brown of Rural Retreat, Va., and Joyce and Pat Dolby of Midlothian, Va.; two sisters and brother-in-law, Margaret and Bill Morris of Max Meadows, Va., and Helen Beatty of Brick, N.J.; one brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Johnnie Kemper of Shreveport, La.; special cousin, Helen Floyd of Wytheville, Va.; five grandchildren, Wendy Dolby Mosley, Jason Allen Ritter, Amity Dolby Powell, James Ashton Ritter and Susan Ashley Ritter; five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Thursday, July 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 W. Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert William Carver Sr.
Robert William Carver Sr., 79, of Bastian, Va., died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Bluefield Regional Medical Center, Bluefield, W.Va.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, Va., with the Rev. Jeff Callahan officiating. Interment will be in the Bishop's Chapel cemetery in the Clear Fork section of Bland, Va.
He was born Sept. 12, 1923, in Bland County, Va., a son of the late Walter Andrew and Lucy Kate Carver.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Elizabeth Carver of Bastian, Va.; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert William Jr. and Rita Carver of Bastian, Va.; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Calvin Elswick of Bluewell, W.Va.; one brother, Walter J. Carver of Bluefield, W.Va.; three sisters, Claudine "Micky" Lovern of Rural Retreat, Va., Pauline Clark of California, and Loretta Sword of Ona, W.Va.; and two grandchildren, Krystal Carver and Jayme Elswick.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home.
A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home in White Gate, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Virginia Helen Bond Alexander
Virginia Helen Bond Alexander, 81, of Pulaski, Va., died Sunday, July 6, 2003, in the Pulaski Community Hospital, Pulaski, Va.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at the Dublin Church of God, Dublin, Va., with the Rev. Michael Collins and the Rev. Daniel McGlothin officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Christian Church cemetery, Draper, Va.
She was born Aug. 20, 1922, in Wythe County, Va. She was a member of the Church of God and taught Sunday school for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Alexander; a son, Tony Alexander; and her parents, George W. and Villa Lawson Bond.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Eva and Phillip Morrison, and Sherry and John Hagee, all of Dublin, Va.; two grandchildren and their spouses, Dee-Dee and Kris Norman of Pulaski, Va., and Jonathan Hagee of Dublin, Va.; a stepgranddaughter and spouse, Crystal and the Rev. Chris White of Paris, Ill.; two great-stepgrandchildren, Courtney White and J.C. White; two brothers and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Judy Bond of Hillsville, Va., and LaHue Bond of Max Meadows, Va.; a sister and brother-in-law, Berta and Carl Viars of Pulaski, Va.; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dublin Church of God.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Frankye Danner Armentrout
Frankye Danner Armentrout, of Wytheville, Va., died Saturday, July 5, 2003, at Asbury Place in Wytheville, Va.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 7, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville, Va., with Dr. Donald Stansell, pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiating and the Rev. Richard Lindamood, pastor of the Max Meadows United Methodist Circuit, assisting. Interment will be in East End cemetery, Wytheville, Va.
She was a 44-year veteran of the Virginia educational system. She spent 28 of those years as supervisor of elementary education in Wythe County, Va. She was recently honored by having the new library at Spiller Elementary School named for her. She was an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Society. A lifelong Christian in the Methodist church, she had been a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville, Va., for nearly 50 years. For many of those years, she was a member of its chancel choir and had been named "Lay Member of the Year".
She is survived by three brothers and two sisters-in-law, William Vernon "Jake" Armentrout of Decatur, Ala., Olin and Rowena Armentrout of Max Meadows, Va., and James and Helen Armentrout of Gray, Tenn.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Allene Collins of Abingdon, Va., and Margaret and Charles Carper of Colonial Heights, Va.; and 10 nieces and nephews and their families.
The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the St. Paul United Methodist Church Choir, Wytheville, Va.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert Lee "Bobby" Davis
Robert Lee "Bobby" Davis, 73, of Ivanhoe, Va., died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, in the Wythe County Community Hospital, Wytheville, Va.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home Chapel in Wytheville, Va., with Marion Harris officiating. Interment will be in the Davis cemetery with American Legion Post No. 9 conducting graveside military rites.
He was born Aug. 7, 1929, in Pulaski, Va. He was a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church on the Cripple Creek Circuit, a lifetime member of the Roanoke Moose Lodge and a member of the V.F.W. He was a retired U.S. Army veteran of the Korean and Vietnam era and was retired from the V.A. Medical Center in Salem, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Maiden Davis and Lollie Crockett Davis; three sons, Billy Wayne Davis, John Mario Davis and Teddy Bailey; and a sister, Betty Atkins.
Survivors include his wife, Lenora K. Davis of the home; one daughter, Carol Duncan of Roanoke, Va.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert J. "Bobby" and Donna Davis of Salem, Va., and Bobby and Glenda Bailey of Lebanon, Va.; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Michelle Lynn and Allen Dunbar of Roanoke, Va., Kara Willis of Richmond, Ind., Vickie Lynn and Joe Bailey of Mooresville, N.C., David Bailey of Dante, Va., Joshua T. Journell and Colby Walters, both of Salem, Va., Donald and Nancy Palmer, and Joe Holbrook; five great-grandchildren, Zachary Alley Dunbar, Bradley Joseph Dunbar, Michael Scott Bailey, Whitney Faith Palmer, and Austin Tyler Palmer; one sister, Hester Smith of Roanoke, Va.; and one brother and sister-in-law, David A. and Jan Davis of Accident, Md.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
William Odell "Bill" Hoback
William Odell "Bill" Hoback, 69, of Wytheville, Va., died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003.
Funeral and burial services will be private.
He was the son of the late Odell William and Nellie Davis Hoback and was a retired farmer.
He is survived by two sisters, Lucille Buchanan of Wytheville, Va., and Margaret Krunich of Crockett, Va.; one brother, Jack R. Hoback of Wytheville, Va.; special nieces, Selena Shanklin and Vicki Neese, both of Wytheville, Va.; and several other nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
George LeGrand Rush
George LeGrand Rush, 86, of Fairhope, Ala., formerly of Wytheville, Va., and Mobile, Ala., died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at a health care center after a lengthy illness.
Memorial services were held Monday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Government Boulevard, Mobile, Ala., with the Rev. Conlee Bodishbaugh and the Rev. Rob Grafe officiating.
He attended Murphy High School, Auburn University and Tulane. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry.
He volunteered for the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served aboard a destroyer in the North Atlantic Fleet. After transferring to the Naval Air Corps, he graduated from N.A.S. Pensacola. He served as a naval aviator throughout World War II. He was a member of the Christ Anglican Church, Mobile, Ala., and St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Garrison, Md.
He was a consultant for the International Trade and Government Relations. He was a member of the Fairhope Yacht Club, ATC, Toastmasters, Bicentennial Commission, Baldwin County, English Speaking Union, Rotary, Confederate Historical Society, American Club in Brussells, Belgium, National Aviation Club, Washington, D.C., and Sons of the American Revolution.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Boyd Williams Rush of Fairhope, Ala.; two daughters, Anne Kent Rush of Daphne, Ala., and Cynthia Boyd Rush of Lexington, Ky.; one grandson, Jordan Rush Bloch of Lexington, Ky.; and two nieces, Mary Rush Schreiber of Foley, Ala., and Mathilde Rush Griffin.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Christ Anglican Church in Mobile, Ala., or the charity of one's choice.
Bayview Funeral Home in Daphne, Ala., was in charge of the arrangements.
William Michael "Tom Dooley" Jefferson
William Michael "Tom Dooley" Jefferson, 45, of Ivanhoe, Va., died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, in the Pulaski Community Hospital, Pulaski, Va.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. in the Reese Funeral Home Chapel in Austinville, Va., with the Rev. Hal Lewis and the Rev. Ronald "Bobo" Gravley officiating. Interment will be in the Odd Fellows cemetery, Ivanhoe, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William R. Mabe and Katherine L. Bond; a brother, Clinton Orren; his adopted stepfather, Sam Jefferson; and his grandparents, George and Ruby Burchett.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Jefferson of the home; two sons, Michael George Jefferson of Hillsville, Va., and Nathan Hobert Jefferson of Fries, Va.; stepfather, Robert Bond of Fries, Va.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Brenda and Roger Collins, and Debbie and Virgil McMickle, all of Ivanhoe, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Home or at the residence at any time.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
Vada Mae Sharp Carpenter
Vada Mae Sharp Carpenter, 88, of the Bethany community in Austinville, Va., died Monday, July 28, 2003, in the Wythe County Community Hospital, Wytheville, Va.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 31, at 2 p.m. at the River of Life Family Ministries (formerly Poplar Camp Church of God of Prophecy) with the Rev. Larry Barnes, and the Rev. Gary Vernon officiating. Interment will be in the Bethany cemetery, Austinville, Va.
She was born in Carroll County, Va. She was a member of the River of Life Family Ministries (formerly Poplar Camp Church of God of Prophecy).
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Raymond A. Carpenter; her parents, John Graham Sharp and Mary Ann Davis Sharp; a grandson, Rixie Lee Marshall; two sisters, Mattie Burnett and Alma Coulson; and a brother, Ernest Sharp.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Betty Sue and Elden Marshall of Austinville, Va.; a granddaughter and her spouse, Tammy and Jonathan Shewbridge of Roanoke, Va.; and a great-granddaughter, Lindsey Leann Shewbridge of Roanoke, Va.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the River of Life Family Ministries (formerly Poplar Camp Church of God of Prophecy) or at her home at any time.
The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorial donations to the Lead Mines Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 502, Austinville, VA 24312.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.
