U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Janet J. King
Janet J. King, 66, of Rural Retreat died Tuesday, April 8, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 10, at 2 p.m. at the Rural Retreat United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Countiss officiating. Interment followed in the Mountain View cemetery in Rural Retreat. She was a daughter of the late Issac Greek and Jettie Huddle King. She was a graduate of Marion College and furthered her education in music at George Washington University at St. Louis, Mo. She taught music for many years and also played the pipe organ for her church for 20 years. She had been employed by the Governmental District Three in Wytheville for the past five years.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Bonnie Fields; and two brothers, Arnold King and Ivan S. King.
Survivors include one sister, Ruby K. Groseclose of Marion; one brother and three sisters-in-law, Everett C. and Nancy King of Martinsville, Etta Mae King of Burlington, N.C., and Nina King of Fort Worth, Texas; two nieces and husband, Kathy G. and Gerald Mabe of Wytheville, and Amy K. King of Raleigh, N.C.; two nephews, Larry King and Roger King, both of Burlington, N.C.; and two great-nieces, one great-nephew, two great-great-nieces, many friends; students and neighbors.
The family requests that those who prefer may make memorials to the Rural Retreat United Methodist Church (Epworth House Project), or to the Polio Society.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat was in charge of the arrangements.
Allen Smith Sayers
Allen Smith Sayers, 63, of Morristown, Tenn. and formerly of Elk Creek, died Thursday, April 10, 1997, in Morristown, Tenn.
Graveside services will be Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. in the Lebanon Methodist Church cemetery, Elk Creek conducted by Rev. Doug Stuart.
He was a son of the late William and Maude Sayers and was a member of Rocky Springs Baptist Church, a veteran of the Korean Conflict and was retired from Roadway.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Stuart Sayers of Morristown, Tenn.; a sister, Mattie Testerman of Elk Creek; two brothers, Harold Sawyers of Elk Creek, and Hale Sawyers of Mt. Sidney; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Saturday, April 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Grubb Funeral Home.
The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
James William Stuart
James William "Coley" Stuart, 75, of Speedwell died Wednesday, April 9, 1997, in the Smyth County Community Hospital.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 11, at 2 p.m. in the Grubb funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Doug Stuart. Interment was in the Speedwell United Methodist Church cemetery.
He was a member of the Speedwell Pentecostal Holiness Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Henry and Annie Henley Stuart.
Survivors include two sisters, Barbara Farmer and Aileen Newberry, both of Speedwell; a brother Jack Reynolds Stuart of Speedwell; a sister-in-law, Frances Stuart of Speedwell; and several nieces and nephews.
The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Herman Hicks Armbrister
Herman Hicks Armbrister, 82, of Max Meadows died Sunday, April 13, 1997, at his home.
Celebration of life funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m. at the Olive Branch United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joe Carrico officiating. The body will be taken to the church one hour before service time. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
He was born February 6, 1915, a son of James H. and Bessie Aker Armbrister. He was a well-known Wythe County farmer and a life-time member of the Olive Branch United Methodist Church. He had taught school in Tazewell and Wythe County, and was retired from the Radford Army Ammunition Plant.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James H. and Bessie Aker Armbrister; three brothers, Victor Armbrister, Luther Armbrister, and Randolph Armbrister; and one sister, Lutie Grimes.
Survivors include his wife, Luetta "Rita" Hartsock Armbrister of Max Meadows; one son, Dale Armbrister of Greenville, S.C.; one daughter and son-in-law, Teresa Anne Armbrister Sayers and Dwight Sayers of Wytheville; one granddaughter, Ashley Sayers; one grandson, Mckenzie Sayers; two sisters, Marjorie Alley of Wytheville, and Betty Boye of Bristol; and several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests for those who wish to make memorial gifts may contribute to the Olive Branch cemetery Fund, c/o Howell Armbrister, Rt. 3, Box 740, Wytheville, Va. 24382.
Gillman Funeral Chapel in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Virgil Alvin Barnes
Rev. Virgil Alvin Barnes, 92, died Thursday, April 10, 1997, at the nursing home at Presbyterian Village East, New Baltimore, Mich.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at Cunningham Funeral Home in Grove City, Pa. Graveside services followed at the Jackson Center cemetery.
He was born April 11, 1904, in Jackson Center, Pa. and graduated from Grove City High School and Grove City College. Following a year as teacher and principal at Portersville High School Pennsylvania, he entered Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary, where he graduated and was ordained in 1930. His first pastorate was in Bergholz, Ohio, where he served the Yellow Springs and Bergholz United Presbyterian Churches. In August, 1935, he married
Marjorie Lillian Henderson of New Concord, Ohio. Following 14 years as pastor in Ohio, he was called to begin a mission church in Wayne, Mich., where he was instrumental in the creation of both a new congregation and church building. In 1953 he moved to Slippery Rock, Pa., to become the minister of Highland and Bethel United Presbyterian Churches. Rev. Barnes served the Neshannock United Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pa. from 1969 until his retirement in 1979. He retired to Grove City, Pa. and moved to Michigan in 1985.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, in 1983; and siblings, Howard O. Barnes and Eleanor Barnes.
Survivors include his two sons, Dr. Thomas L. Barnes of Wytheville, and David J. Barnes of Rochester, Mich.; daughters-in-law, Dr. Bernadette Black and Karan Barnes; and seven grandchildren, Andrew, Jennifer, Wendi, Matthew, Kristy, Brian and David Erik.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Barnes Memorial at the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, 37 Fairground Road, New Castle, Pa. 16101.
Cunningham Funeral Home in Grove City, Pa. was in charge of the arrangements.
Osborne P. Corvin
Osborne P. Corvin, 91, of Route 4, Wytheville died Sunday, April 13, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. in the Grubb Funeral Chapel conducted by Rev. C.D. Underwood. Interment was in the New Bethel United Methodist Church cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Groseclose Corvin; and a grandson, Roger Corvin.
Survivors include two sons, Lawrence C. Corvin of Wytheville, and James Douglas Groseclose of Fairfax, Vt.; a sister, Stella Etter of Wytheville; a brother, Joe Corvin of Rural Retreat; eight grandchildren, Dawn Pelkey, Cindy Groseclose, Karen Groseclose, Bill Groseclose, Doug Groseclose, Linda Smith, Jerry Corvin, and Thim Corvin; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The Grubb Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Ernest S. Hartley
Ernest S. Hartley, 80, of Glenstone Health Care, Boone, N.C., and a former resident of Valle Crucis, died Monday, April 14, 1997.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17, at 2 p.m. at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church with the Rev. Carl Wilson and Rev. Burl Greer officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. The body will be taken to the church one hour before service time.
He was born May 18, 1916, in Avery County, N.C. a son of the late Sterling and Daisy Clark Hartley. He retired from A.S.U. grounds maintenance, a member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen Berry Hartley.
Survivors include one daughter, Sheila Triplett of Boone, N.C.; two sons, Eugene Hartley of Lenoir, N.C., and James Hartley of Wytheville; and six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Hampton Funeral Service in Boone, N.C. is in charge of the arrangements.
Nell Morrison Hudson
Nell Morrison Hudson, 97, of Ceres died Saturday, April 12, 1997, in the Kegley Manor in Bastian.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. at the Sharon Presbyterian Church. Interment followed in the Sharon Lutheran Church cemetery in Ceres.
She was a graduate of Radford and James Madison Colleges and also had taken graduate works at Columbia University in New York City. She was a member of the Wilderness Road Chapter, D.A.R., a member of the Sharon Presbyterian Church, the Bland County, W.O.C., the Bland County Teachers Association, and had taught school in Bland County, Wythe County, and Tazewell County and in Clarksville, Md. She also was a music teacher and retired after 52 years of service.
She is survived by two nieces, Mrs. William H. Edmonson of Harrisonburg, and Mrs. John (Elizabeth) Fairly of Richmond; one nephew, Bennett F. Adair Jr. of Richmond; and a special friend and care taker, Clayton Lambert of Ceres.
The family requests that those who prefer, may make memorials to the Sharon Lutheran cemetery Fund.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.
William A. Schwonke
William A. "Bill" Schwonke, 71, of Roanoke died Thursday, April 10, 1997, in the Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 13, at 3 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Chapel in Bland with the Rev. Lee Ellis officiating. Interment followed in the Temple Hill cemetery in Bland.
He was born in Rochester, N.Y. the son of the late Fredrick and Emma Smith Schwonke and was a U.S. Marine veteran of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Glorena H. "Gee" Hancock Schwonke of Roanoke; a daughter, Gail Wonderly of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a son, William F. Schwonke of Fort Wayne, Ind.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and one god child, Michelle Cantrell of Bastian.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.
Phillip Gene Davis
Phillip Gene "Henry" Davis, 55, of Pulaski, died Wednesday, April 16, 1997, after a brief illness.
Private graveside services and interment will be held in the Davis cemetery.
He was born in Wythe County, a son of the late Walter C. and Mabel Lena Ratliff Davis. He was a retired mechanical engineer from the Radford Army Ammunition Plant and had attended the First Presbyterian Church in Pulaski.
He is survived by Ione L. Davis of Pulaski; two daughters, Vance Carolyn Davis, and Jean Lena Davis, both of Pulaski; a sister, Sandra George of Laurel, Md.; an aunt, Lu Dirickson of Arlington; and a nephew, Walter Gene Davis of Pulaski.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Avery Dale Stamper
Avery Dale "Popeye" Stamper, 47, of Wytheville, formerly of Chilhowie, died Tuesday, April 15, 1997, in the Smyth County Community Hospital.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 18, in the Parkers Chapel Freewill Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Joe Powers with Rev. Mike Sage singing. Burial was in the Macedonia cemetery, Chilhowie.
He was the grandson of the late Harvey and Hattie Powers Stamper, and Calvin and Maggie Pennington Campbell.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Sexton Stamper of Wytheville; his parents, James and Lucille Campbell Stamper of Chilhowie; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Ron Irwin of Jacksonville, Fla., Sadie and Brad Greer of Chilhowie, and Ruby Powers of Chilhowie; two brothers and sister-in-law, Don Stamper and Millard and Cherylee Stamper, all of Chilhowie; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and many friends.
The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Edd Ray Tolbert
Edd Ray "Chub" Tolbert, 77, of Fayetteville, N.C., formerly of Rocky Gap, died Tuesday, April 15, 1997, in the Cape Fear Valley Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Chapel in Bland with the Rev. Bruce Sheets officiating. Interment will follow in the Bishop cemetery, Route 1, Bastian.
He was born in Bland County, a son of the late Edgar Wiley and Julia Mae Guy Tolbert. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was preceded in death by three brothers.
Survivors include a sister, Ruby Jones of North Tazewell; and two brothers, Jake Tolbert of Route 1, Bastian, and Joe Tolbert of Fayetteville, N.C.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.
Violet Irene Spraker
Violet Irene Spraker, 79, of Austinville, Va., died Tuesday, May 7, 2002, at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at the Shorts Creek Church of God in Austinville, Va., with Pastor Wayne Burnette, Brother Olen Alexander, the Rev. Carl White Jr. and the Rev. Dale Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in the Myers cemetery in Carroll County, Va.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Jewell and Giles Surratt of Radford, Va.; fours sons and daughters-in-law, Ray and Clara Spraker of Austinville, Va., J.D. and Paulette Spraker of Pulaski, Va., Wayne and Judy Spraker of Pulaski, Va., and Charles and Patricia Ann Spraker of Poplar Camp, Va.; three sisters, Ruth Carpenter of Max Meadows, Va., Dorothy Melton of Max Meadows, Va., and Eunice Burris of Max Meadows, Va.; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Shorts Creek Church of God.
Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home Chapel in Hillsville, Va. is in charge of the arrangements.
