U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Katharine R. Stark
Katharine R. Stark died Thursday, May 1, 1997, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 6, at 11 a.m. at University cemetery in Charlottesville.
She was a native of Charlottesville and the daughter of Professor and Mrs. Bruce D. Reynolds. She was a teacher in school systems in Albermarle County, Charleston, S.C. and Sewanee, Tenn. She served as state eegent, Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, and as vice president general, National Society, DAR. She also held membership in the Daughters of Colonial Wars, The Huguenot Society of Virginia and Tennessee, The Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, and the Colonial Dames of America.
She is survived by her daughters, Katharine Caldwell of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., and Hilda Stark Manos of Los Angeles, Calif.; and five grandchildren, Kate Caldwell, Betsy Caldwell, Charlotte Caldwell, Hardwick Caldwell, and Ellen Manos.
The family will receive friends Sunday, May 4, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, followed by a memorial service.
Hill and Wood Funeral Service in Charlottesville is in charge of the arrangements.
William Anthony Travis
William Anthony "Tony" Travis, 45, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Wytheville, died Monday, April 28, 1997, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at the Bethel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Shelly Kyle officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakwood cemetery. The body will be taken to the church one hour before service time.
He was a member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church, and was an employee of the United States Department of Justice, and served in the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Travis; and a sister, Brenda Kay Travis.
Survivors include his mother, Ruth C. Travis of Wytheville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, James Robert "Jim" and Cathy Travis, and Mark Wesley Travis, all of Wytheville; aunts and uncles, Ralph and Catherine Grubb of Ivanhoe, Joe and Patsy Crockett of Carlisle, Pa., and Ernest and Patsy Crockett of Ivanhoe; a nephew, Jamie Travis; and a host of friends.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Minor Muncy Jr.
Minor Muncy Jr., 76, of Grundy, died Saturday, May 3, 1997, in the Buchanan General Hospital following a long illness.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Woody Alexander officiating. Burial followed at Greenhills Memory Garden at Claypool Hill. Full military rites were conducted at the cemetery by the John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion, Childs Gentry Post No. 7360 of the Veterans of Foreign War and Disabled American Veterans Post No. 59.
Born in Bland County, the first child of Marion Martin Mustard Minor and Elizabeth "Bess" Muncy. He joined the United States Army Air Corps and served in World War II. After serving, he worked with the Newport News Ship Building Company in Newport News. He joined the Virginia State Police and was assigned to Buchanan County as a trooper in 1948. During that time he married
Ruth Jackson of Drill. After serving as a trooper for 11 years, he started the Levisa Fuel Company, consisting of several coal mines and a loading dock for rail shipments out of the area. He was also co-founder of Tri-County Coal Association, and a founder of Miners and Merchants Bank where he served on the board of directors. He was a member of the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Sandy Valley Lodge No. 17 A.F. & A.M., Kazim Temple, and John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Hillary Stanford Muncy, and Gilbert Carter "Gib" Muncy; a sister, Patricia Repass Muncy; and a daughter-in-law, Peggy Jo Muncy.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Jackson Muncy of Grundy; two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia Muncy and Mark Weitner of Reston, and Denise and Mack Hale of Cedar Bluff; a son, Minor Muncy III of Maidens; grandchildren, Tonya and William Hale of Grundy; two sisters, Ellen Walls and Ann Monti, both of Bland; a brother, Charlie Muncy of Bland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Sandy Valley Lodge No. 17 A.F. & A.M. Building fund; Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 650 West 168th Street, New York, N.Y. 10032; or the Buchanan County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Grundy Funeral Home in Grundy was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Catron Smelser
Mary Catron Smelser, 92, of Blackstone, formerly of Wytheville, died Sunday, May 4, 1997.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m. in the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Pastor Bob Parrish. Interment will be in the West End cemetery.
She was the widow of W.A. "Gibb" Smelser and was a retired employee of the Wytheville Hospital and Sanatorium.
She is survived by two daughters, Mildred Smelser Powell, and Margaret Smelser Kincer, both of Blackstone; two sisters, Marie Catron Cregger, and Ruth Catron Maxey, both of Roanoke; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Grubb Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ford Seventh-day Adventist Church or the Arthritis Foundation.
The Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.
Joan-Harvey Bentson
Joan-Harvey Bentson, 47, of Manassas died Tuesday, May 6, 1997.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Manassas, with Bishop David Leighton (ret.) and the Rev. Stuart Schadt, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Interment will be private at Fairlawn cemetery, Westfield, N.J.
She was born June 15, 1949, in Cranford, N.J., a daughter of Edmund Whitman and Frances Morris. She was reared in Cranford, N.J., graduating from the Vail-Deane School, Elizabeth, N.J. in 1967. In 1971, she received a bachelor's degree from Hood College, Frederick, Mass., majoring in studio art. She was married
in September 1971 to Thomas Gentry Bentson Jr. Following their marriage, the Bentsons lived in Charlottesville. She served as secretary in the Charlottesville office of the Virginia Employment Commission from 1971-1973, and as office manager of the Alcohol Treatment Unit, Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, from 1973-1978. Following the birth of Edmund Travis in 1978, she was employed by Amvest Corp. from 1980-1981. Thomas Soren was born in 1981.
In 1981, the family moved to Wytheville. She was a member of St. Johns Episcopal Church, serving on the Altar Guild and with the Episcopal Church Women. She was a member of the Stuart Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was employed by Hodges and Associates. In 1989, the family moved to Manassas, where she resided until her death. In Manassas, she was employed by Karen Brown, CPA, and from 1992 until her death, she served with the 4-H program, Prince William Extension Service. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Manassas, also serving with the Episcopal Church Women and the Altar Guild.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Gentry Bentson Jr. of Manassas; two sons, Edmund Travis Bentson and Thomas Soren Bentson, both of Manassas; her parents, Edmund Whitman and Frances Morris; two sisters, Susan Morris of Barrington, Ill., and Margaret Morris-Dorr of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and her maternal grandmother, Celeste Rosenthal of Tiffin, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested memorials be made to the Patient Care Fund, Hospice of Northern Virginia, 13168 Center Pointe Way, Woodbridge, Va. 22193.
Blasius-Baker Funeral Home in Manassas is in charge of the arrangements.
Virginia Gertrude Palmer Cregger
Virginia Gertrude Palmer Cregger, 79, of Wytheville died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 9, at 1 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel in Wytheville with the Rev. Harold Bare officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. View cemetery in Rural Retreat.
She was born in Spencer, Neb., a daughter of the late Ernest and Gertrude Mae Ward Palmer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Woolwine Cregger; a grandson, Robert Andrew Hawkins; and a great-granddaughter, Ashley Beth Hawkins.
Survivors include three daughters and son-in-law, Gennie P. Larigey of Warrenton, Ellen A. Mallette of Wytheville, and Wanda D. and Alan D. Lambert of Austinville; a son, John Tanchak of Nokesville; 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth L. Cooper of Hopewell; a brother, Peyton A. Palmer of Draper; and a special friend, Flora Mae Kline of Wytheville.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Eugene Adkerson Duff
Eugene Adkerson Duff of Fairway Lane, Wytheville, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, at Wythe County Community Hospital after a two-month illness.
Memorial services were held Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at the Kyger & Trobaugh Funeral Home in Harrisonburg conducted by the Virginia State Police chaplain.
He was born in Lynchburg, a son of the late John Wesley Duff and Ora Rucker Duff. He had served in the Army, and was retired from theVirginia State Police where he had worked for over 38 years. He was assigned to Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank W. Duff of Lynchburg.
Survivors include his wife, Lee Belshee Duff of Wytheville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas Bowen and Laurie Warriner Duff of Sandown, N.H., and William Scott and Donna Jane Duff of Christiansburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Leigh Anne Duff and Steven Charles Leist of Christiansburg; a brother, Ernest P. Duff of Lynchburg; a sister, Mrs. Norman (Mae) Dawson of Lynchburg; two grandchildren, Carl Robert Leist and Hannah Marlee Duff; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.
Kyger & Trobaugh Funeral Home in Harrisonburg was in charge of the arrangements.
Denny H. Fry
Denny H. Fry, 56, of Virginia Beach, formerly of Wythe County, died Thursday, May 8, 1997.
Private funeral services will be held in Virginia Beach.
He was preceded in death by his father, Herman H. Fry; and two uncles, Andrew R. Fry and William E. Frye.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ballard Fry of Virginia Beach; two daughters, Debra Fry and Denise Fry, both of Virginia Beach; his mother, Hazel Tickle Palley of Danville; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Nancy Fry of Danville; uncles and aunts, Walter Donell and Dottie Frye of Rural Retreat, and Helen and Stan Deel of Danville; and two grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Steven Howe Harman
Steven Howe Harman, 36, of Bland died Wednesday, May 7, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital following a long illness.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Home in Bland with the Rev. Tony Reed and the Rev. Jim Mullins officiating. Interment followed in the Bland cemetery.
He was born in Pearisburg on Aug. 8, 1960, to Shirley Harman Byrd and the late Mevo Harman. He was a life-long resident of Bland and a graduate of Bland High School, class of 1979. He was a 16-year employee of the Virginia Department of Corrections, Bland Correctional Center. He retired on Oct. 31, 1996. He was also an active member of the Bland County Volunteer Rescue Squad.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Arista and Marcie Hoge Harman; and his maternal grandparents, Bertie Walker Lambert and Floyd Walker.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Goins Harman of the home; a daughter, Amanda Leigh Brown of the home; a son, Adam Steven Harman of the home; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Timmy and Juanita Harman, and Jimmy and Lisa Harman, all of Bland; two half-sisters, Virginia Vaught of Bland, and Margaret Bourne of Fries; a half-brother, Ronnie Hamblin of Pulaski; a special mother-in-law, Glada Goins of Bland; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bland County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Bland County Volunteer Fire Department, and/or the Community Hospice of America, 540 W. Main Street, Wytheville, Va. 24382.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.
Lena Lambert Hounshell
Lena Lambert Hounshell, 69, of Route 1, Bland, died Thursday, May 8, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 11, at 2 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Chapel in Bland with the Rev. Claude Dove and the Rev. Will Shewey officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Bethel cemetery in Bland.
She was born in Tazewell County, a daughter of the late Morton and Myra Hounshell Lambert, and was a member of the Bland Community Church.
She is survived by her husband, Harvey H. Hounshell of Route 1, Bland; two sons, Barry H. Hounshell, and Eddie D. Hounshell; four sisters, Mayme L. Harden of Meadowview, Ethel L. Lambert, Pearl L. Lambert, and Lloyd F. Lambert, all of Bland; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Clair Lambert, Frazier Lambert, and Jean A. Lambert, all of Bland.
The family will receive friends Saturday, May 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Home.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.
Stanley M. Lanham
Stanley M. Lanham, 65, of Route 2, Rural Retreat, died Thursday, May 8, 1997, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at the Lindsey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roger Crigger officiating.
He was born in Leesburg, the son of the late Curtis and Irene Johnson Lanham. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Rural Retreat American Legion Post No. 229.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Cressel Lanham of the home; six children, Clay Lanham of Bealton, Wayne Lanham of Clearbrook, Jimmy Lanham of Haymarket, Jean Patterson of Manassas, Lisa Pelehawski of Bolingbrook, Ill., and Karen Brown of Midvale, Utah; two step-children, Jeff Linkous of Wytheville, and Jan Davis Brooks of Rogersville, Tenn.; and four grandchildren, and eight step-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Saturday, May 10, from 11 a.m. until service time at the Lindsey Funeral Home or at the residence at any time.
The family requests that those who prefer, may make memorials to the Community Hospices of America, 540 West Main Street, Wytheville, Va. 24382, or to the family to help with medical expenses.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat is in charge of the arrangements.
Claude C. Reed Jr.
Claude C. Reedy Jr., 59, of Max Meadows, formerly of Richlands, died Thursday, May 8, 1997, at his home following a long illness.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with the Rev. Joe Horn officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late Claude C. and Mildred Beulah Jones Reedy Sr. He was a native of Tazewell County before moving to the Wythe County area 15 years ago. He was a former truck driver and was of the Pentecostal faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude C. and Mildred Beulah Jones Reedy Sr.; and one sister, Betty Jo Marrow.
Survivors include a companion, Martha Smith of Wythe County; three brothers, Jack Reedy of Cedar Bluff, James Reedy of Richlands, and Fred Reedy of Swords Creek; three sisters, Janice Johnson of Richlands, Geraldine Davis of Richlands, and Shelby Dye of Piedmont, Ala.; one step-son, Calvin Smith of Max Meadows; one step-granddaughter, Ashley Smith of Max Meadows; and several nieces and nephews.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of the arrangements.
