U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Teddie Carson Knott
(May 5, 1932 - September 23, 2013)
U.S. Veteran - Teddie Carson Knott, 81, of Mount Solon, passed away Monday, September 23, 2013 at the Bridgewater Home.
He was born in Mt. Solon on May 5, 1932, and was a son of the late Gordon C. and Margie (Shull) Knott.
Teddie worked as a carpenter for Anning & Johnson in Springfield, VA and retired in 1991. He was a member of Bridgewater United Methodist Church. Teddie served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Teddie was united in marriage on July 1, 1967 to Sharon Kay (Aberle) Knott, who survives.
Teddie is survived by a son, Stewart T. Knott and wife Kelly of Alexandria; a brother Connie Knott of Mt. Solon; and four grandchildren, Shaun Bowers and wife Leslie, Carson Knott, Halle Knott and Kendall Knott, and great granddaughter, Ava Grace Bowers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater.
A funeral service will be conducted at Bridgewater United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 26, 2013 with Rev. James M. Tongue and Rev. Jim Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Emmanuel Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 420 Neff Ave, Suite 210, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Johnson Funeral Service Bridgewater in charge of arrangements
Anna Susan Sheffer
(November 15, 1928 - October 10, 2013)
Anna Susan Sheffer, 84, of Staunton, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Augusta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville.
Anna was born in Swoope, VA, on November 15, 1928, and was a daughter of the late Guilford E. and Elizabeth (Brockway) Terry.
She retired from American Safety Razor in Verona, and was a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Mount Solon. She was also a lifetime member of Myers Hodge VFW Post #8644 Ladies Auxiliary in Bridgewater.
She was united in marriage on April 14, 1948, to George Harrison Sheffer, Jr., who preceded her in death on December 31, 2012.
Anna is survived by two daughters, Karen S. Horn (Paul) of Mount Solon, and Sherry D. Riddle (Tom) of Waynesboro; a son, Gary C. Sheffer of Staunton; two sisters, Myrtle Glenn of Verona, and Helen Breeden of Swoope; and a brother, Ronald P. Terry of Staunton. She is also survived by five grandsons, Curtis L. Horn (Tina), Tracy A. Horn (Jennifer), Ricky L. Horn (Audrey), Nicholas B. Sheffer, and Michael D. Vollmar; and seven great-grandchildren, Katie A. Horn, Brandon L. Horn, Megan L. Horn, Bryce J. Horn, Makayla F. Horn, Roxanna P. Horn, and Riley L. Horn; two step great-grandsons, Michael Carper and Daniel Mason; and one step great-great-grandchild, Ryan Cook.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Terry, and Donald L. Terry.
A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Mount Solon, with Pastor Reuben Horst and Pastor Wes Thornberry officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be private at Parnassus cemetery. At Anna's request the casket will be closed.
Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater is entrusted with arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Solon Fire and Rescue Squad, 86 Emmanuel Church Rd., Mount Solon, VA 22843 and/or Churchville Fire Dept., PO Box 608, Churchville, VA 24421
Herman Rudolph Reitz
(October 16, 1931 - October 6, 2013)
Herman Rudolph Reitz, 81, died Sunday, October 6, 2013 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital.
He was born on October 16, 1931, the son of J. Harlan and Ruth Sonon Bushong Reitz in Lancaster, PA.
A committed Christian, he was born again, December 27, 1947. He was a graduate of Warwick Twp. High School, (Rothsville, PA), 1949, and Millersville State Teachers College, 1953. While in alternate (to military) service at the Philadelphia State Hospital, 1953-1955, he was married
to Mary Elizabeth Enck, RN who survives. He was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, (VA), Union Theological Seminary, The Presbyterian School of Christian Education and New York University. He pastored Mennonite congregations in Richmond, Mt. Jackson and Dayton, and was an Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary faculty member, 1961 – 2003. For many years he was an adult Sunday School teacher, a chaplain’s associate at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, a “Meals on Wheels” volunteer and a Mennonite World Review correspondent.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary, daughters Judith (Mrs. Brent) Trumbo and Beth (Mrs. William) Tysinger; grandchildren, Cody Trumbo, Delaney, Will and Emma Tysinger; sisters Shirley (Mrs. Glenn) Demmy and Ginnie (Mrs. Donald) Good, both of Ephrata, PA.
A memorial service will be held a Dayton Mennonite Church, Dayton, VA on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM. A fellowship lunch will follow the service.
Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater is handling arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfs.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VMRC, Compassion Fund, 1491 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Wilda Rosemary Kaylor
(December 21, 1917 - September 14, 2012)
Wilda Rosemary (Sandy) Kaylor, 94, of Port Republic, Virginia, died September 14, 2012. She was a farmer and a homemaker.
Wilda was born December 21, 1917 in Pleasant Valley, and was a daughter of the late Tillman G. and Lucie Magdalene (Tutwiler) Sandy.
She graduated from Bridgewater High School. She was active in 4-H Club, a 4-H All Star, and leader of the Port Republic 4-H for many years. She was a long time member of St. Jacob's Spaders Lutheran Church where she played the piano, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the women's organization. She received the American Tree Farm System Region 7 Outstanding Tree Farmer Award and the Virginia Forestry Association Outstanding Tree Farmer for Rockingham County for the year 1990.
On May 9, 1946, she married
the late John Lewis Kaylor, Sr.
She is survived by three children, Elizabeth Ellen Kaylor, and John Lewis Kaylor, Jr, both of Port Republic; and Rosemary Critzer and husband Whitney of Afton, Virginia; a sister, Margaret Sayre of Stuarts Draft; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Wilda was preceded in death by two sisters, Myrtle Lam, and Evelyn Flick; and three brothers, Raleigh Sandy; Vernon Sandy; and William Sandy.
A memorial service will be conducted 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at St. Jacob's Spaders Church, 3555 Spaders Church Road, Mt Crawford, with Pastor G. William "Bill" Nabers officiating. The family will receive friends after the service or at the Kaylor home at any time. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jacob's Spaders cemetery Fund, c/o Cindy Lam, 1770 Pineville Road, McGaheysville, VA 22840
Johnson Funeral Service in Grottoes is entrusted with arrangements.
Robert "Bob" Edward Reed
(October 17, 1931 - June 18, 2011)
U.S. Veteran - Robert "Bob" Edward Reed, 79, of Mount Sidney, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011 at his home.
Bob was born in Augusta County on October 17, 1931, and was a son of the late Guy and Mary (McKeown) Reed.
He worked as an owner/operator for Houff Transfer in Weyers Cave, and served in the U.S. Army.
In 1974 he was united in marriage to Thelma Thornton (Stickley) Reed, who preceded him in death in February of 2004.
Bob is survived by a son, Buzzy Reed of Mount Sidney; three step daughters, Carolyn T. Shifflett of Grottoes, Mary E. Thornton of Grottoes, and Peggy T. Randall of Grottoes; and a step son, Harvey Thornton of Grottoes. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Steven L. Reed, Kayla N. Reed, Shannon M. Reed, and Zachary G. Reed, and numbers step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren; a special grandson, Shawn Thornton; and special granddaughter, Felicia Thornton-Gooden.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by a brother, Stephen Reed; a sister, Frances Maiden; and a step-son, Gene Thornton.
A funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Grottoes. Burial will follow at Thornrose cemetery in Staunton.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 PM Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the funeral home in Grottoes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939.
Beverly D. Thompson Williams
Beverly Delores Thompson Williams, 79, of Franklin, Tenn., died Saturday June 7, 2008, at her residence.
Mrs. Williams was born Jan. 8, 1929, in Harrisonburg, and was the daughter of the late Claude and Jessie Taylor Thompson.
On Nov. 7, 1968, she married
Herbert Williams Jr., who survives.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Larry Shirkey of New Port Richey, Fla., Michael Shirkey of Tallahassee, Fla., and Greg Williams of Russellville, Ala.; a daughter, Brenda Zinge of Franklin, Tenn.; six grandchildren and one great- grandchild.
The Rev. Wayne Wright will conduct the funeral 2 p.m. Friday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. Burial will follow at Greenmount cemetery near Harrisonburg.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Dorothy Steele
Dorothy Marie Steele, 94, of Harrisonburg, passed away Friday, May 30, 2008, at her daughter's home in Northern Virginia.
She was born in Illinois on July 29, 1913, the oldest of six children of the late Herbert Charles Wolfrey Sr. and Clemmie Lamb Wolfrey.
She is survived by one brother, Herbert C. Wolfrey II, and wife, Velda, of Harrisonburg; and one sister, Clemmie W. Nelson and husband, Leroy, of Lehigh, Fla. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard D. Wolfrey and Perry E. Wolfrey, and one sister, Hazel W. Liskey.
Dorothy moved with her parents to Virginia as a very young child and lived most of her life in the Harrisonburg area until 2005, when she went to live with her daughter and son-in-law in Purcellville, Va.
She was a graduate of Harrisonburg High School and later was employed for a number of years at the Charles Store, a department store once located in downtown Harrisonburg.
On April 22, 1939, she married
Clarence L. (Mike) Steele, who preceded her in death on Dec. 20, 1990.
Dorothy was very active in the 'Home Demonstration Club' of Rockingham County for many years, where she learned many skills of cooking, canning, gardening and sewing and became a very talented seamstress. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, she later began making hand-sewn crafts, which she sold at craft fairs and gift shops.
As a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, she was also treasurer of the Rebecca Bible Class for many years.
She will be greatly missed by her son, Wendell M. Steele and wife, Anna, of Harrisonburg; one daughter, Linda S. Suter and husband, Lonnie, of Purcellville, Va.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Elaine S. Chittum and Janet K. Steele.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Cooks Creek cemetery. The Rev. Jeffrey J. Butcher will conduct a memorial service Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg.
Arrangements by Kyger Funeral Homes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, Inc., P.O. Box 1477, Harrisonburg, VA 22803, or to Otterbein United Methodist Church, 176 W. Market St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Pearl Hensley
Pearl Marie Wyant Hensley, 86, of 18825 Mount Pleasant Road in Elkton, died Sunday, April 27, 2008, at her home.
Mrs. Hensley was born Aug. 20, 1921, in Rockingham County near Elkton, and was the daughter of the late Franklin Pierce and Gussie Marie Hensley Wyant.
She was a homemaker and had worked briefly at Forbert Corporation in McGaheysville, Blue Bell Inc. in Shenandoah and the Dollar General Store in Elkton. She was a member of Blue Ridge Independent Church in Elkton, where she taught the adult Sunday school class.
On Dec. 24, 1936, she married
Willard Hiram Hensley, who preceded her in death Dec. 5, 1987.
Survivors include two daughters, Shelby Hensley Ruth of Carson City, Nev., and Caroll Hensley Schmidt of Elkton; two sons, Delure W. Hensley of Elkton and Garland W. Hensley of McGaheysville; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pastors Brad Lewis and Gerald Meeks will conduct the funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Blue Ridge Independent Church in Elkton. Burial will follow at the Edward Hensley family cemetery in Mount Pleasant near Elkton.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton. Friends may also call at Mrs. Hensley's home at any time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Independent Church Building Fund, 38 Independent Road, Elkton, VA 22827, or the Elkton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 152, Elkton, VA.
Dr. Harriet Clare Cobb
(March 6, 1951 - March 9, 2013)
Dr. Harriet Clare Cobb, 62, passed away on March 9th, 2013, in Bath County, Virginia, a place she had often called her favorite in the world.
Harriet, a loving mother, sister, aunt, great aunt, and friend is survived by her son Adam Brown of Harrisonburg, VA; her sister, Barbara Schnackenberg of Chicago, IL; her sister and brother-in-law Sarah and Richard McDonald of Huddleston, VA; her nephew Douglas Schnackenberg of Chicago, IL; her nephew Mark Schnackenberg and wife Hyunae and great nephew Henry of Seattle, WA.
Previously married
twice, she maintained close friendships with former spouses Douglas T. Brown and his wife Betsy Brown of Port Hayward, VA, and Ronald E. Reeve of Charlottesville, VA, who share in mourning her passing.
Born in South Euclid, Ohio, Harriet loved spending time while growing up with her sisters, and lifelong friend Joie Daniels. A loyal friend to many, she spent countless happy times and shared a thousand memories with Alexandra Norton, Susan Prout, and Sandy Arnold-Harris, among others.
Once reaching college age, Harriet embarked on a lifelong journey dedicated to humanism, aiming to help all those around her. She began her mission at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she obtained her B.S. in Psychology in 1973, then subsequently earned her M.S. in School Psychology in 1974.
Harriet began her professional career in Warm Springs VA, where she served as School Psychologist and Director of Pupil Personnel Services for the Bath County School Division from 1974-1980. She referred to her time in Bath County as one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.
Always ambitious, Harriet achieved the culmination of her dream of earning a doctoral degree when she obtained her Ed.D. in Counselor Education with a cognate in Clinical Psychology from The University of Virginia in 1980.
After serving as Director of Psychological Services for the Staunton City Schools in Staunton, VA from 1980-1981, Harriet was hired by James Madison University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. Her passion and skill for teaching, scholarship, and service continued throughout her entire career. She quickly achieved the designation of Associate Professor in 1986, and through hard work, perseverance, and a deep caring for her students, she achieved the distinguished title of Full Professor in 1996. She served as Head of The Department of Graduate Psychology from 2009-2011.
Harriet won numerous honors at JMU, including the Outstanding Faculty award for the Department of Psychology and both the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Distinguished Service Award. She published more than two dozen professional articles and chapters and made numerous national and international presentations. She was instrumental in developing and obtaining university, state, and national approval for JMU’s first doctoral program, the Combined-Integrated Doctoral Program in Clinical and School Psychology.
During her 32-year tenure at JMU, Harriet demonstrated tremendous commitment to interdisciplinary endeavors. She was a leading voice in diversity efforts, helping to launch and coordinate the Inter-Group Dialogue program. She co-directed the University’s annual Leadership Academy.
As an independent practitioner in Harrisonburg for over 25 years Harriet assisted hundreds of individuals through her psychological assessment and psychotherapeutic intervention skills. Widely considered to be the “go to” therapist for people coping with all sorts of life issues, Harriet’s wisdom and sensitivity helped ease life’s burdens for her patients.
Harriet brought joy, energy, creativity, and warmth to every aspect of her life. She was the model of a life-long learner – always thinking, reading, talking, listening, and otherwise engaging with the emotional and intellectual world around her. She will be missed by all whom she touched.
A public ceremony of her life will be held at the Festival Center, Ballroom A, at JMU on Sunday, March 24th at 6 pm. A private memorial service will be held by her family at a date to be determined.
The family expresses their utmost gratitude to the volunteers from the following organizations: the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department, the Hot Springs Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Mountain Grove Volunteer Fire Department, the Millboro Area Rescue Squad and First Responders, and the Westvaco Rescue Squad.
A special thanks goes to Sgt. Mike King, Sgt. Frank Pyanoe III, Sgt. Kyle Moore, Special Agent Steve Oliver, Special Agent Joseph D. Bowyer, Trooper Harvey L. Stover, Trooper T.A. May, and the rest of the Virginia State Police.
Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, should be made to the Virginia State Police Association (VSPA), 6944 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23225 or any of the organizations mentioned above.
