U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Stephanie Charlene Yonce
Stephanie "Runt" Charlene Yonce, 15, of Pulaski, died Monday, Nov. 18, 1996, in the Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital as a result of an automobile accident on Route 11, Pulaski.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. at the Bob White Blvd. Church of God, Pulaski, with the Rev. Geary Jonas, Rev. Kindle Arnold and Rev. Richard Ashworth officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin.
Born Oct. 2, 1981 in Pulaski. She was the daughter of Michael Dean Yonce and Judith Arlene Freeman Yonce. She was a member of the Dublin Church of God of Prophecy, Dublin. She was a sophomore at Pulaski County High School, Dublin. She was a member of Mountain Academic Conference Competition, and was formerly a volunteer at Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital.
Her brother, Christopher "Chris" Dale Yonce, also died Nov. 18 as a result of the automobile accident.
She is survived by her father, Michael Dean Yonce of Roanoke; mother, Judith Arlene Freeman Yonce of Pulaski; maternal grandfather, Ernest Carl Freeman of Austinville; maternal grandmother, Helen Eugene Linville Freeman of Pulaski; paternal grandparents, Robert Draper Yonce and Hilda Jean Via Yonce of Pulaski; paternal great-grandmother, Maxie Stoots of Pulaski; and a number of aunts and uncles, great-aunts and uncles, relatives, and friends.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bower Funeral Chapel, 1631 Bob White Blvd., Pulaski.
Bower Funeral Chapel is Pulaski is in charge of the arrangements.
Claude Swanson Archer Jr.
Claude Swanson Archer Jr., 53, of Mt. Airy, Md., died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel in Wytheville with the Rev. Don Scott officiating. Interment will follow in the Archer cemetery.
Born in Garner, N.C., he resided with his sister in Mt. Airy, Md., and was an avid outdoorsman. He was a member of the North American Hunting and Fishing Club.
He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Swanson Archer Sr.
Survivors include his mother, Bonnie R. Archer of Woodbine, Md.; two daughters, Cindy Archer of Wilmington, Del., and Robin Archer of Manchester, Md.; two sons, Claude S. Archer III and Matthew Archer, both of Westminster, Md.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Claudette and Allen Brown of Mt. Airy, Md., and Jackie and Gary Kelly of Bruceton Mills, W.Va.; and two grandchildren.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Lyndell H. Geisler
Rev. Lyndell H. Geisler, 87, of Boydton, died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996, at his residence.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Boydton United Methodist Church with the Reverends C.B. King, Barry Throckmorton, and Donald Collins officiating. Graveside services were held Friday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. at the West End cemetery in Wytheville.
He was a retired minister, having served numerous United Methodist churches in the Holston and Virginia conferences. He was also a 32nd degree Mason, with memberships in Lynchburg and Wytheville lodges.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Geisler; a son, Hugh Geisler of Mt. Crawford; a daughter, Teresa Scurry of Sumpter, S.C.; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boydton Volunteer Fire Department or the Boydton Life Station.
Wood Funeral Service in Chase City was in charge of the arrangements.
Betty Jane Hall
Betty Jane Hall, 67, of Longview Circle, Wytheville, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 1996, at her residence.
Memorial services will be Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Grubb Funeral Home.
She is survived by three daughters, Darlene Lovingood of Pulaski, Jane Humphrey, and Rita Bass, both of St. Augustine, Fla.; one son, James M. Smith of Draper; one brother, James W. Hall of Colorado Springs, Colo.; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
The Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
John Lacy Mitchell
John Lacy Mitchell, 65, of Hedgefield Terrace, Wytheville, died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996, in the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Memorial services were held Friday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel in Wytheville with the Rev. Charles A. McMillen officiating.
He was born in Wythe County, a son of the late Floyd and Gladys Akers Mitchell.
He is survived by three daughters, Diane Mitchell Sparks of Wytheville, Irene Mitchell of California, and Trish Gibson of Marion, Ohio; two sons, John Mitchell of Richmond, and Stacy Mitchell of Wytheville; three stepdaughters, Ethel King of Wytheville, Deborah Godwyn, and Karen Clark, both of Chattanooga, Tenn.; three sisters, Mary Farmer, Ella Mae Halsey and Helen Kast, all of Wytheville; six brothers, Donald Mitchell, Ronald Mitchell, Randolph Mitchell, Cecil Mitchell, Wayne Mitchell, and Floyd B. Mitchell Jr., all of Wytheville; several grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
James Blair Wright
James Blair Wright, 93, of Wytheville, formerly of the Fries Summerfield community, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1996.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Summerfield United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be taken the church one hour preceding the funeral services.
He is survived by his wife, Mae Smith Wright; a sister, Thelma W. Roberts of Wytheville; three nephews and wives, Bobby and Sarah Wright of Wytheville, Ted and Frances Brewer of Fries, and Roger Wright of Haymarket; a niece and husband, Peggy and Swanson "Cotton" Burcham of Fries, a sister-in-law, Hazel Sexton of Wytheville.
Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home in Galax is in charge of the arrangements.
Helen Ruth Andrews Cline
Helen Ruth Andrews Cline, 71, of Route 3, Wytheville, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 1996, at her residence.
Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Rosenbaum Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. J.C. McPeak officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
She was born in Wythe County, a daughter of the late Garfield and Sallie Davis Andrews, and was retired from the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. She was an active member of the Rosenbaum Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church where she served as Sunday school teacher and member of the Christian women.
She is survived by her husband, Lester E. Cline of the home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Frank Burns, Shirley and Don Fisher, all of Roanoke, and Joyce and Doug Long of Johnson City, Tenn.; five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, Amy and Mark Burns, Karen and Jason Fisher, Jessica Caviness, and Tom and Amy Long; two sisters, Aileen Umberger of Wytheville, and Iris Collins of Ivanhoe; and several nieces.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Anna Lee Hall Davis
Anna Lee Hall Davis, 84, of Route 2, Rural Retreat, died Friday, Nov. 22, 1996, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion.
Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Lindsey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tom Martin and the Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Interment followed in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat.
She was born in Grayson County, a daughter of the late Joseph Calloway and Lois Sells Hall. She was a member of the Rural Retreat Presbyterian Church and was a retired employee of the J. Freezer & Son in Rural Retreat.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Clark Davis; and two brothers, Claude Hall and Glenn Hall.
Survivors include four sisters, Ruth H. Fulton, Edna Hall, Evelyn Hall and Juanita H. Hackler, all of Rural Retreat; two nephews and one niece, Wayne Fulton, Rodney Hall, and Brenda H. Amburn.
The family requests that those who prefer, may make memorials to the Rural Retreat Emergency Services.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat was in charge of the arrangements.
Arthur M. Gates Jr.
Arthur M. Gates Jr., 75, of Wytheville, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 1996, in the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Wytheville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Wingard and Dr. Thomas Sproule officiating. Interment followed in the West End cemetery. The American Legion Post No. 9 conducted graveside military rites.
He was born in Patrick County, the son of the late Arthur M. Gates Sr., M.D. and Maybelle Lowry Gates, nurse. He was a member of the Wytheville Presbyterian Church and founder and owner/operator of WYVE Radio where he provided a commentary on our culture and society with his "Just Plain Talk" radio program for many years.
He attended the Medical College of Virginia and graduated from the Roanoke College in 1941. He was the assistant principal at his former school and taught English and chemistry as well as coaching the baseball and basketball teams. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and past president of the Wytheville Rotary Club. He was director and president of various clubs and organizations and was honored as citizen of the year in 1992 by the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce. He was lifetime member of the American Legion Post No. 9. He was director for Wythe County Community Hospital, director of the Wythe Industrial Commission, first chairman of the Wytheville Redevelopment and Housing authority, founder of the Wythe United Fund, business manager of the Wytheville Baseball corporation, and president of the Wytheville Recreation Commission, among others.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille G. McGahee; and two brothers, Stuart L. and Horace L. Gates.
Survivors include his wife, Estelle Jones Gates of the home; a daughter, Debbie Gates Larson of Wytheville; a sister, Phyllis M. Gates of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.
The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorial contributions to the Wytheville Presbyterian Church.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Foy McGill Hall
Foy McGill Hall, 84, of Draper, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 1996, in the Virginia Veterans Care Center, Roanoke.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Stevens Funeral Chapel, Pulaski, with the Rev. Steven Emory and Edith Vaughan officiating. Burial followed in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin.
He was born in Pulaski, on Dec. 23, 1911, a son of the late John Foy Hall and Mary J. Black Hall. He was self-employed; he refinished floors for many years. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Opal H. Hall of Draper; two sons and daughter-in-law, Ronnie M. Hall of Draper, and Richard W. and Robin Hall of Pulaski; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn H. and Charles Safewright of Draper, and Sharon H. and Jack Hall of Wytheville; three granddaughters, Angela Safewright of Draper, Alison Spain of Radford, and Amanda Spain of Wytheville; one grandson, Sgt. Brian Safewright in the United States Army in Bosnia; a sister, Hazel Unger of Maryland; and a brother, Fred Hall of Pulaski.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to the New River Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1029, Pulaski, Va. 24301.
Stevens Funeral Home Inc., in Pulaski was in charge of the arrangements.
Burl Elmo Melvin
Burl Elmo "Bun" Melvin, 82, of Bland, died Friday, Nov. 22, 1996, in the Birdmont Health Care Center.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Bob Blankenship officiating. Interment followed in the Hoge's Chapel cemetery.
He was the son of the late John C. and Ella M. Melvin. He was a member of the Central Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel C. Melvin of Bland; one son and daughter-in-law, James C. and Betty Melvin of Hampden, Maine; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ella M. and Robert Compton, and Phyllis and David Morehead Sr., all of Bland; one sister, Mary M. Newberry of Knoxville, Tenn.; and six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Newberry Funeral Home in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.
John Wesley Murphy
John Wesley Murphy, 39, of Route 3, Max Meadows, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 1996, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. at the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Lewis Weaver.
He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. William S. and Patricia Donaldson Murphy.
Survivors include three daughters, Christy Murphy, Beth Ann Murphy, and Samanatha Murphy, all of Christiansburg; two sisters and brother-in-law, Mary M. Nave of Crockett, and Teresa and Glenn Houchins of Max Meadows; and a brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Jan Murphy of Christiansburg.
The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Charlie Davis
Charlie Davis, 84, of Austinville, the Bethany Community, died Friday, Nov. 29, 1996, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Dec. 1, at 3:30 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Chapel in Austinville with the Elder Michael McGrady, Elder Lewis Pierce and Elder Don Stacy officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethany cemetery.
He was born in Wythe County, the son of the late George W. and Berta Harman Davis. He was a retired miner and well driller.
He was preceded in death by his son, Charles Alvin Davis.
Survivors include his wife, Beulah Viers Davis of the home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Glenna Faye and Charles Wheeler of Lake City, Fla., Sharlene and Lewis Pierce Jr. of Austinville, and Patricia J. Davis of Galax; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Nov. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Home.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville is in charge of the arrangements.
