U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Pamela Muriel Thompson
Pamela "Pam" Muriel Thompson, 60, of Bland, died Saturday, June 21, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 24, at 2 p.m. at the Bland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Rye and Rev. Doug Hyndrich officiating. Interment followed in the Thompson Family cemetery in Bland.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Kelly "Tom Cat" Thompson.
Survivors include two daughters, Renee T. Sluss of Bastian, and Susan Gills of Wytheville; five sons, Tony Thompson, Buck Thompson, John Kelly Thompson, all of Bland, Steve Gills of Bluefield, W.Va., and Haven Gills of Pulaski; a sister, Rosemary Page of Texas; a brother, Douglas Martin of Arizona; and ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.
Harry E. Wyre
Harry E. "Sonny" Wyre, 58, of Austinville, died Wednesday, June 18, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital after a long illness.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home, Webster Springs, W.Va., with the Rev. John Paul Nunley of Ivanhoe officiating. Interment was in Miller cemetery, Webster Springs, W.Va.
He was born March 6, 1939, in Webster Springs. He was also formerly of Florida. He was a construction worker and a member of Kings Chapel Full Gospel Church in Ivanhoe.
He was preceded in death by his father, Howard "Sard" Wyre.
Survivors include his mother, Opal Wyre Edwards of Baltimore, Md.; three brothers, Tommy Wyre of Summersville, W.Va., Jimmy Wyre, and Richard Wyre, both of Baltimore, Md.; and three sisters, Mabel Holbrook of Max Meadows, Mary Jane Murray of Baltimore, Md., and Jeannie Spinks of Newport, N.C.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs, W.Va. was in charge of the arrangements.
Edna Faye Collins Hillenburg
Edna Faye Collins Hillenburg, 62, of Max Meadows, died Monday, June 23, 1997, at her residence.
Private services will be held at a later date.
She was born in Davey, W.Va., on April 15, 1935, to George Washington and Iler Maudie Collins.
She is survived by her husband, Ellis Floyd Hillenburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Carl Ingo of Austinville; one granddaughter, Melissa Faye Nester; a grandson, Carl Erich Ingo; two great-granddaughters, Raven and Kayla Nester; one great-grandson, Corey Ehan Ingo; a brother, Franklin F. Collins of Big Sandy, W.Va.; five sisters, Georgie Anz of Louisville, Ky., Edith Harvey of Simon, W.Va., Stacy Goldsmith of Louisville, Ky., Ruby Knicley of Woodstock, and Ida Dell of Bluff City, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Frances Elizabeth Bruce Smith
Frances Elizabeth Bruce Smith, 85, a resident of Asbury Center at Birdmont, died Thursday, June 26, 1997.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, Tenn., with the Rev. W. Philip West officiating. Interment will follow in the Wilson County Memorial Gardens.
She was born in Montgomery, Ala., a daughter of the late Rev. Walter and Janey Smithson Bruce. She was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church, and a graduate of Cumberland College.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Thayer Smith.
Survivors include one daughter, Janey Bruce Shumate of Draper; two sons, Thayer C. Smith of Richmond, and Kenneth Smith of Johnson City, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Betsy Hunt, Thayer Smith Jr., Kelly McClanahan, Rachel York, Lee Anne Smith, John Kent Shumate Jr., and Patrick Bruce Shumate; and two great-grandchildren, James Vaughan Hunt, and Caroline Hunt.
The family will receive friends Saturday, June 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ligon-Bobo Funeral Home in Lebanon, Tenn.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, Tenn.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the local arrangements.
Robert Franklin Thomas
Robert Franklin Thomas, 67, of Speedwell, died Thursday, June 26, 1997, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the Speedwell United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed at the church one hour before service time.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Cline Thomas of Speedwell; two sons, Robert "Bob" Thomas of Wytheville, and Rodney Cline of California; a daughter, Carol Stant of Wytheville; one brother Jim Thomas of Galax; two sisters, Maude Mezzatesta, and Emma Spohn, both of New Castle, Del.; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Saturday, June 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Gillman Funeral Chapel.
Gillman Funeral Chapel in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Judy Carol Brewster
Judy Carol Brewster, 49, of Rural Retreat, died Sunday, June 29, 1997, in the Highland Manor Nursing Home in Dublin.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 1, at 11 a.m. at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Oscar Roark officiating.
She is survived by two sons, Brian Lloyd Brewster of Taylorsville, N.C., and Joseph Michael Brewster of the home; two stepsons, Danny R. Brewster of the home, and Eurlise L. Brewster of Hiddenite, N.C.; and two stepdaughters, Mary Jo Blankenship of Paris, Ky., and Willa Faye Sowers of Bassett.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat was in charge of the arrangements.
Guy Mannering Bruce
Guy Mannering Bruce, 96, of Bastian, died Monday, June 30, 1997, in the Bluefield Regional Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 5, at 2 p.m. at the Bastian Union Church with the Rev. David Wall, the Rev. Ralph Kidd Jr., the Rev. Bob Thornton, Paul Ester, and the Rev. Lee Ellis officiating. Entombment will follow in the Temple Hill cemetery in Bland.
He was born in Bluefield, W.Va., the son of the late William Johnston and Amanda Elviria Starks Bruce. He attended school in Bluefield, W.Va., and in Bland County. He studied sales courses from Lassell University and various courses while with Esso and Standard Oil. He won several awards in sales operations and cost while with Esso Corporation. He joined Standard Oil in 1927 and experienced all the changes from Standard Oil to Humble Oil to Enco to Esso and then to Exxon. Retired from marketing sales, he and his wife were charter members of the Blue Ridge Exxon Annuity Club. He was of Protestant faith and served as a Sunday School superintendent and taught men's classes and was a member of the official church board for more than 50 years. He was an honorary member of both the board of Bastian Union Church and elder of the church at the time of his death. His wife of over 65 years, Cecil Robinette Bruce, passed away Nov. 24, 1992.
He is survived by four nephews, William Edward Bruce of Virginia Beach, James Robert "Bob" Bruce of Bastian, Garland R. Bruce of Bluefield, W.Va., and George R. Bruce of Bronson, Fla.; seven nieces, Lois Pruett of Bland, Shirley Parker of Thomasville, N.C., Betty Faulkner, Jane Bruce, both of Winston Salem, N.C., Margaret Pauley, Zareda Earnest, both of Bastian, and Dr. Alma Shufflebarger of Oakland City, Ind.; and several great-nieces and nephews, and several great-great-nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bastian Union Church.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Bland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 75, Bastian, VA 24314.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.
Dorothy C. Dodds
Dorothy C. Dodds, 71, of St. Augustine, Fla., died Friday, June 27, 1997, at the home of her daughter.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Trinity Episcopal Church conducted by Pastor Deena Galantowicz.
Born in Wytheville and moved to Florida in 1945, she was a requisition clerk for the federal government for 30 years. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church where she served in the choir and St. Elizabeth's Guild.
She is survived by four daughters, Lynn Flautt Arnett, Joanne Flautt McClellan, Becky Flautt Youmans, and Peggy Flautt, all of St. Augustine, Fla.; one son, Mike Flautt of St. Augustine, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing may make contributions to Trinity Episcopal Church Organ Fund or Hospice.
Croyle Funeral Home in St. Augustine, Fla. is in charge of the arrangements.
Ruby Roberts Edmonds
Ruby Roberts Edmonds, 79, of Austinville, died Monday, June 30, 1997, in the Birdmont Health Care Center.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 8 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Chapel in Austinville with the Rev. Billy Dean officiating. Interment will be held in the Bethany cemetery.
She was born in Wythe County, a daughter of the late Henry and Ollie Barnett Roberts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Lewis Edmonds.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Gardella and Bobby Ogle of Route 2, Max Meadows; a son and daughter-in-law, Warren B. "Rusty" and Carol Ann Edmonds of North Augusta, S.C.; three sisters, Hazel Martin of Pulaski, Janie Blair of Ivanhoe, and Easter Dunford of Wytheville; a brother, Howard Roberts of Max Meadows; four grandchildren and spouse, Kathy Richardson, Bruce and Lisa Ogle, Mark and Dana Edmonds, and Jeff and Melissa Edmonds; and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Home, or at the residence of Gardella and Bobby Ogle at any time.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph Kent Holston
Joseph Kent Holston, 79, of Rural Retreat, died Friday, June 27, 1997, at his residence.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, 1997, at the Lindsey Funeral Home Chapel with Harvey Gates officiating. Interment followed in the Black Lick cemetery in Rural Retreat.
He was born in Wythe County, a son of the late Marco Ellis and Georgia Della Lefler Holston. He was a member of the Independent Holiness Church in Speedwell and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, World War II. While serving in the Army, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in Northern France (the Rhineland). He received the following medals: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Citation, Expert Rifleman, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Mozelle Gordon Holston of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Alice Faye and Rick Brisco of Durham, California; one grandson, Shawn LaWayne Brisco of Rio Del, California; three sisters, Mary H. Gordon, Cynthia H. Walton, both of Rural Retreat, and Virginia H. Hurley of Austinville; one brother, James B. Holston of Rural Retreat; and several nieces and nephews.
The family request that those who prefer, may make memorials to the Rural Retreat Volunteer Emergency Services.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat is in charge of the arrangements.
Ann Fresh Plummer
Ann Fresh Plummer, 83, of Wytheville and formerly of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Sunday, June 29, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 2, at 2 p.m. in the Poling-St. Clair Chapel, Buckhannon, W.Va., conducted by Rev. Charles Godwin. Burial will be in the Buckhannon Memorial Park.
She was a retired public school teacher and musician. She was the widow of Dr. Kenneth M. Plummer who was the former dean and acting president of West Virginia Wesleyan College. In the late '30s she and her husband hosted a radio show entitled "Sweethearts of the Air." In Chicago, she was organist and assistant choir director at St. James Methodist Church, then the second largest Methodist church in the city. She taught piano and voice for years and taught elementary school music for two years in Milwaukee, Wis. She resided in Wytheville with her son and daughter-in-law, David J. and Penny Plummer.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Kenneth A. Plummer of Goldsboro, N.C., and David J. and Penny Plummer of Wytheville; two sisters, Helen Compton of Keyser, W.Va., and Dorothy Michael of Westernport, Md.; three grandchildren, one great-grandson, one step-granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the local arrangements.
Charles Howard Steele
Charles Howard Steele, 65, of Galax, died Saturday, June 28, 1997, in the Northern Hospital of Surry County, Mount Airy, N.C.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at the Vaughan-Guynn Chapel, Galax. Interment was in the Morris cemetery in Fancy Gap with Rev. Dale Webb officiating. Military rites were conducted by Hillsville VFW Post No. 1115.
He was born in Wythe County, Feb. 1, 1932.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Steele; and his parents, George and Mattie Strupe Steele.
Survivors include a daughter, Anita Gray of Galax; a son, Randy Steele of Wilmington, Del.; a brother, William "Billy" Steele of Pulaski; seven grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home in Galax was in charge of the arrangements.
Barbara Jean Atwell
Barbara Jean Atwell, 54, of Marion died Tuesday, July 1, 1997, at her residence.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 4, at 11 a.m. at the Barnett's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Pat Gilbert officiating. Interment followed in the Slemp cemetery.
She was a native of Smyth County and a member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church. She was a Registered Nurse having received her Associates degree from Wytheville Community College. She was employed in the Intensive Care Unit of the Wythe County Community Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Myrtle Testerman; and two sisters, Hilda Dennison and Kate White.
Survivors include her husband Carl Atwell; two daughters, Rita Faye Cutler of Bavon, and Brenda Kay Sexton of Virginia Beach; one brother, Robert Testerman of Roanoke; and one grandchild, Joshua Casey Sexton.
Barnett's Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of the arrangements.
