U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Mildred Olivia Snyder
STAUNTON- Mildred Olivia Snyder, 78, died Thursday, March 29, 2007, in Harrisonburg.
Mrs. Snyder was born in Front Royal, daughter of the late Joseph James and Olivia Pomeroy Mason. “Millie” was a native of Front Royal and a member of Front Royal United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph “Bunny” Mason Jr. and sisters, Marie Echardt and Margaret Austin.
Surviving are her sister, Myrtle Rector of Front Royal; niece, Janet M. Long of New Market; and great-niece, Dr. Cynthia Long Lasher of Waynesboro; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was conducted Sunday, April 1, 2007, in Prospect Hill cemetery, Front Royal, by the Rev. Gary Heaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Family Service of Virginia to support their Shenandoah Valley Grief Service Program (coordinated by Dr. Lasher) 500 South Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980.
Arrangements handled by Hamrick Funeral Home, 18 West Frederic St., Staunton.
Robert Atwood Wait
Robert Atwood Wait, 76, died of emphysema early in the morning of March 29, 2007, at his home in Bellflower, Calif.
Mr. Wait was born and raised in Greenfield, Mass., the only son of Walter and Genevra Wait, and graduated with a B.A. in English from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., in 1952, dooming him to a lifelong passion for the Boston Red Sox. He never thought he’d see the BoSox win the World Series in his lifetime, and his rejoicing could be heard on both coasts when the Sox won in 2004.
He continued his education in the Southern Regional Graduate Program in Public Policy, and was drafted by the Army in 1953, serving in the Army’s Counterintelligence Corps, stationed in what was then West Germany.
After leaving the service with the rank of corporal, he held a number of professional personnel positions in both the public and private sectors before joining General Foods Co. in 1963. One highlight of his career came the next year, when he hired 1,200 people for a new plant the company opened in Dover, Del. He told his children that when he moved to Dover to begin interviewing prospective employees, he couldn’t walk down the sidewalk in what was then a small town of fewer than 10,000 without storekeepers coming out and stopping him to shake his hand. The plant remains in Dover today.
After promotions that moved him into corporate management in White Plains, N.Y., General Foods chose him to move to Washington, D.C. and open the company’s first lobbying office. He headed that office and led the food lobbying effort for General Foods, Kraft General Foods, and Kraft Foods after Phillip Morris Corp. (now known as Altria Group Inc.) purchased those companies. He retired in 1991 after 28 years of continuous service and 20 years in Washington, the longest-serving food lobbyist in Washington at the time. In retirement he spent several years in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, one of his favorite places in the world, and Mount Jackson, the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, another location he loved.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Bellflower; two daughters, Patience Wait and Meredith Wait, and their spouses; his former wife, Patricia Wait, all of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; cousins in Massachusetts; and his stepdaughters, Alexandra Edwards of San Francisco and Nicole Smith, her husband and son Trey, whom he considered his grandson, all of Bethesda, Md.
He was predeceased by two daughters, Diana, who died shortly after her birth in 1962, and Annabel Griffin, and is survived by her husband and Bob’s three grandchildren, Benjamin, Genevieve and Rachel Griffin, all of Frederick, Md.
The memorial service will be held Saturday, May 26, at All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores, N.C.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Annabel and Robert Wait Scholarship at St. James Academy, 17641 College Rd., St. James, Md. 21781; or to Long Beach Memorial Hospital Hospice, Long Beach, Calif.
William Cornelius Wallace
STRASBURG- William Cornelius Wallace, 83, died Sunday, March 25, 2007, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Martinsburg, W.Va.
Mr. Wallace was born March 14, 1924, in Washington, D.C., the oldest of three children to the late Frank and Florence Johnson Wallace. He was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, a veteran of World War II. After completing his military duty, he worked for the CIA, retiring in 1974. He was a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church where he served on the board of trustees, administrative council board and as church sexton.
He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife, Edith Robinson Wallace; children, Ann Wallace Smitherman, William Wallace Jr., Gregory Wallace and wife Aquilla, Crystal Robinson Depuy and husband Horace, Robyn Robinson-Heishman and husband Troy, Charles Robinson and wife Kim; grandchildren, Duane Sr., Kelvin Sr. and wife Carmen, Darnell Tulane, Ronnell Kimberly, Temugen, Tyree, Tory, Troy, McKenna and Rylah; great-grandchildren, Anika, Markita, Mia, Kelvin Jr., Duane Jr., Shamira, Lia Nikko; great great-granddaughter, Kennedi; sisters-in-law, Hilda Rebecca and Charetta; brother-in-law, Medford; his favorite cousin, Dot; his good friend, Walter Nickens; all the ladies at Mount Zion, whom he referred to as Sugar; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral service was conducted Saturday, March 31, at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Strasburg, by the Revs. Clarence Acklin and Doris Byrd.
Burial, with military rites by the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard, followed in Mount Zion United Methodist cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Zion United Methodist Church Building Fund, 339 S. Queen St., Strasburg, VA 22657.
James Andrew “Jim” Birnesser
STRASBURG- James Andrew “Jim” Birnesser, 85, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2007, at Winchester Medical Center.
Mr. Birnesser was born June 2, 1921, in Cannelton, Pa., son of the late Peter Andrew and Anna Cecelia Kenny Birnesser. He was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Winchester, and Shenandoah American Legion Post 77, Strasburg. His true loves throughout life were his wife, children and family.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army in World War II, including a tour in the European Theater. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Purple Heart for a wound sustained during the Battle of Rhineland.
He loved traveling, gardening, woodworking and taking walks in the rural countryside. He was a supervising foreman at the Babcock and Wilcox steel mill in Beaver Falls, Pa., where he worked for more than 40 years. He consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and instilled this value in his children. He was fond of watching westerns and was an avid follower of news and politics. His profound Catholic faith sustained him throughout his life.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Dona Lou Horstmann Birnesser; son, Donald James Birnesser and wife Karen of Reading, Pa.; two daughters, Sharyn Marie Gaither and husband Neal of Winchester and Lisa Renee Williams and husband Leo of Knoxville, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Ryan, Kendra and husband Justin, Kelsey, Christopher, Stephanie, Katherine, Daniel and Jason; one great-grandson, Alexander; and a brother, Thomas Peter Birnesser of East Palestine, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Louis Birnesser and sister, Mary Irene Clark.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Winchester, with Father Stanley Krempa officiating. Burial will be in Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, with military honors celebrated by Shenandoah American Legion Post 77.
The family will received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Stover Funeral Home, 177 North Holliday St., Strasburg, with a Rosary service commencing at 7:30 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Our Place Respite Care, c/o SAAA, 207 Mosby Lane, Front Royal, VA 22630.
Ennis Daniel Clark
LEBANON CHURCH- Ennis Daniel Clark, 79, died Sunday, March 11, 2007, at Winchester Medical Center.
Mr. Clark was born Nov. 5, 1927, in Sperryville, son of the late Eddie and Mamie Pullen Clark. He was a retired carpenter.
Surviving are his wife, Lavinia Jane Snarr Clark; son, James Dale Clark of Luray; four daughters, Brenda K. Clark of Winchester, Susan C. Housden, Ann E. Sours and Patty P. Clark, all of Luray; two stepsons, Alvin H. Bell of Luray and James “Butch” Smith Jr. of Maurertown; stepdaughter, Mary Ann Bradley of Strasburg; two brothers, Edward Clark of Sperryville and Charles Clark of Manassas; three sisters, Virgie Walters of Sterling, Louise Bennett of Gainesville and Joyce Ann Koller of Vienna; and a number of grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Stover Funeral Home, Strasburg, with Pastor John Burke officiating. Burial will be Lebanon Church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Atkins, Billy Atkins, Lonnie Clark, Michael Clark, James Uthel Smith III and Eddie Haizlip.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Lee Flemings, Rodney Guin, Carl D. Heishman, Don Himelright and Juan Lertora.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Strasburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 620, Strasburg, VA 22657 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601.
Ralph R. Coffman
Ralph R. Coffman, 92, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007.
Mr. Coffman was born in Shenandoah County. He was a graduate of VPI with a degree in architectural engineering and retired from the Department of Navy with 32 years of service. He was a retired real estate broker, a member of the Woodstock Lion’s Club since 1973 and member of St. Luke Brethren Church.
Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Carole, and daughter, Teresa, both of Shenandoah County.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Brethren Church Building Fund, 3250 Back Road, Woodstock, VA 22664.
Ethel Giordano
EDINBURG- Ethel Giordano, 86, died at her home with family on Saturday, March 3, 2007.
Mrs. Giordano was born Sept. 10, 1920, in Kline, W.Va., daughter of the late Perry William and Myrtle Ellen Harman Hinkle. In 1936 she moved to Washington, D.C., and married
the late Cecil Phelps and had five children. Later she moved to Maryland, went into the food service industry, and married
the late Frank Giordano. In 1981, she moved to Shenandoah County and retired in 1983.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ira Hinkle; and two sisters, Nelly Hinkle and Hattie Grove.
Surviving are five children, Alvin Phelps and wife Rose of Ohio, Diana Phelps of Texas, Chris Turner and Paula Herndon, both of Maryland, Arlene Carper and husband Joe of Edinburg; 16 grandchildren, including local ones, Ann Phelps and fiancé Paul Rinker, Robert Phelps and Barryjoe Carper; 23 great-grandchildren, including one local, Kayana Phelps.
A funeral service was conducted Saturday, March 10, at Dellinger Funeral Home, Woodstock. Burial was in St. Luke cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sojourner Center, P.O. Box 20156, Phoenix, AZ 85036.
Gloria Ann Gertrude Jenkins
LURAY- Gloria Ann Gertrude Jenkins, 69, died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at MontVue Nursing Home, Luray.
Mrs. Jenkins was born Jan. 24, 1938, in Luray, daughter of Emily Gertrude Middleton Jenkins of Luray and the late Buford Franklin Jenkins Sr. She was a graduate of Luray High School.
Surviving with her mother are a son, Edward Lynn Halton of Woodstock; sister, Barbara E. Wood of Luray; three brothers, Leonard F. Jenkins, Buford F. Jenkins Jr. and George H. Jenkins, all of Luray; and three grandchildren.
A graveside service was conducted Saturday, March 10, at Mount Zion cemetery, Luray, by the Rev. Albert. A. Kling.
Arrangements handled by The Bradley Funeral Home, Luray.
Lizabeth Faye Kenyon
BROADWAY- Lizabeth Faye Kenyon, 49, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, March 6, 2007.
Mrs. Kenyon was born Nov. 18, 1957, in Waynesboro, daughter of the late Robert and Beryl Kenyon of Woodstock.
Surviving are her brother, Col. Robert W. Kenyon and wife Ha of Fort Benning, Ga.; sister, Lauren Fravel and John Bushong of Woodstock; nieces, Jennifer and Meghan Kenyon; nephews, Nathan, Travis and the late Eric Fravel and his wife Summer, who currently resides in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. She also leaves behind aunts, uncles, cousins and a special caregiver and friend, Nancy Cooper.
Many thanks to those who touched Beth’s life at Pleasant View Mumaw House and Broadway Day Program and for providing loving care and support for the past several years.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Assonet, Mass.
Memorial donations may be sent to Pleasant View Inc., P.O. Box 426, Broadway, VA 22815.
Arrangements handled by Dellinger Funeral Home, Woodstock.
Carl W. “Buzz” Kerns Sr.
WINCHESTER- Carl W. “Buzz” Kerns Sr., 61, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at Blue Ridge Residential Center, Winchester.
Mr. Kerns was born Aug. 29, 1945, in Frederick County, son of Theodore J. and Hilda Cowgill Kerns. He was a 1965 graduate of James Wood High School and served in the Navy 1965 to 1969. He owned and operated Kern’s Shell station and then worked part-time for DeHaven’s Nursery. He was a member of Victory Church, where he worked with the youth, was a Royal Ranger leader and an usher.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley Lonas Kerns, whom he married
May 15, 1970, in Clear Brook; son, C. Wayne Kerns Jr. of Clear Brook; daughter, Shelley K. Dudley of Winchester; three brothers, Waldon Kerns of Blacksburg, Bill Kerns of Stephens City, and Gary Kerns of Winchester; six sisters, Ruby Fletcher, Ruth Weatherholtz and Kathy Kerns, all of Winchester, Betty Manne of Hilton Head Island, S.C., Janet Newlin of Cross Junction and Patsy Kerns of Maurertown; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred Kerns and Ralph Kerns.
A funeral service, with military honors by VFW Post 2123, was conducted Saturday, March 10, at Jones Funeral Home, Winchester, by the Revs. David Consolo, Keith Frix and Hartley Wigfield. Burial was private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA or Victory Church, 2870 Middle Road, Winchester, VA 22601.
