U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Linda Frazier
Linda Betts Frazier, 89, of Harrisonburg, passed on to the Lord on Friday, May 30, 2008.
She was the daughter of the late Fred K. Betts, Jr. and Linda Evelyn Bibb Betts. A lifelong resident of Harrisonburg, she graduated from Harrisonburg High School, Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and at age 66, received the first Master's of Music from James Madison University.
Linda was a gifted musician and performer and an important contributor to the fabric of our community. As a youth, she lived in a house on Court Square, she sang and danced on the stage of the old Virginia theater, as a teen she broadcast her own radio show from WSVA's downtown studio. She developed her beautiful voice into a light and agile coloratura soprano. She was lead soprano of the Westminster College Touring Choir in 1939 and toured all 48 states. She sang on the original soundtrack of Walt Disney's Fantasia under the direction of Leopold Stokowski.
One summer home from college, she met the love of her life, Robert Y. Frazier. They married
in June 1942 at First Presbyterian Church in a large Naval wedding. She pursued her career as a church music director and vocal instructor in many different communities during the early WWII years. While her husband was in the Pacific theater, she and her mother established an enemy aircraft early warning station at their hilltop home east of town. This station was manned 24 hours a day during the war, had a direct line to Langley Army Air Base, and involved hundreds of local people in the war effort.
After the war, she and her husband decided to stay in Harrisonburg and started The Frazier Quarry in 1946.
Linda Betts chose not to pursue a professional singing career in New York City and instead devoted her life's energy to her family, music, connecting people to their historical roots, and community service. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm led to achievements that touched many lives.
Musically, she shared her gifts and training by organizing the Rockingham Community Chorus, as a Choir Director at Asbury United Methodist and Temple Beth-El; as a voice instructor at Shenandoah Conservatory in Dayton and James Madison University; and as a soloist for hundreds of weddings and funerals throughout the area.
An enthusiastic genealogist, she traced dozens of family lines to find ancestors that qualified for the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Jamestowne Society, Daughters of Founders and Patriots, and many other historical organizations.
Linda and her mother organized the Rockingham Home Demonstration Club in the late 1940s, she was elected one of the first woman elders in the Presbyterian Church, a long-time board member of the Salvation Army, Shenandoah University, and the Virginia Quilt Museum. She recently spearheaded a project to preserve the remains of city founder Thomas Harrison and re-inter them at Woodbine cemetery and also organized the Shenandoah Valley Company of the Jamestowne Society enrolling over 30 descendants of Jamestowne settlers.
In essence, Linda was a woman of singular energy and talent and grace.
Linda is survived by: her husband, Robert Y. Frazier; two sons, Robert Betts Frazier and Bibb Yost Frazier; her daughters-in-law: Dolly Sease Frazier and Paula Knupp Frazier; nine grandchildren: Robert, David, Austin, Michael, Cy, Macie, and Janie Frazier, Amanda and Simon Kyger. She is pre-deceased by her only brother, Fred K. Betts, III and two infant sons.
A memorial service, conducted by Dr. John Sloop, will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at First Presbyterian Church on Court Square in Harrisonburg. The family invites friends to stay for a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Quilt Museum Building Fund, 301 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, Va. 22801.
If you have a memory of Linda's life you would like to share, please take a couple of minutes to leave a phone message sharing your memory. Her family has set up a special answering machine line at 540-437-9449 for this purpose.
Kathleen Myers
Kathleen Moore Myers, 89, of Willow Estates in Penn Laird, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008.
Mrs. Myers was born Feb. 25, 1919, in Rockingham County, and was the daughter of the late John D. and Erma H. Moore.
She was a member of the First Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg.
Her husband, Carson D. Myers, preceded her in death May 18, 1977.
Surviving are two daughters, Kara Dee Layman of Harrisonburg, and Kathy M. Kittrell of Richmond; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
She requested that her family hold a private graveside service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Brethren, 315 South Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Shirley Dean
Shirley Catherine Dean, 66, of McGaheysville, died May 30, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg.
Mrs. Dean was born Jan. 13, 1942, in Harrisonburg, and was the daughter of the late Robert L. and Inez McDonaldson Sipe. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Donald and Ralph Sipe.
She attended school in McGaheysville and the Assembly of God Church in Shenandoah. She was a beloved wife and homemaker who loved canning, gardening and her family very much.
On May 18, 1963, she married
Orlando S. Dean, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Tammy L. Lam and husband, Rodney, of Elkton and Charlotte F. Shifflett and fiance', Chris Palmer of Elkton; two sisters, Harriet Dean of Manassas, Va., and Rachael Crawford of Earlysville, Va.; three grandchildren, Tabitha Workman and husband, Adam, Nathan Shifflett and Jessica Lam; one great-grandson, Grayson Workman.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Elkton with the Rev. Travis Hensley officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Olivet cemetery in McGaheysville.
The family will receive friends Monday from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home in Elkton. Friends may also call at the home of her daughter, Tammy, at any time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elkton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 152, Elkton, VA 22827.
Robert Good
Robert L. Good, 80, of Elkton, died Friday, June 20, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Good was born Jan. 13, 1928, in Elkton and was the son of the late Wilmer "Jack" and Addie Breeden Good. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Dean Good, one sister, Lou Emma Stover, and two brothers, Charles "Bob" Good and Cecil J. Good.
In 1988, Mr. Good retired from American Safety Razor after 33 years of service.
Mr. Good is survived by one daughter, Charlotte Lavonn Garcia and husband, Arturo "Bert" of Keezletown; two sons, Roger L. Good and wife, Brenda of Elkton, and Darrell Jasper Good and wife Molly of Elkton; six sisters, Pansy Shifflett, Helen Kisling, and Ann Fielding, all of Elkton, Nellie Meadows of Bealeton, Deloris Frazier of Gainesville, and Betty Campbell of Shenandoah; two brothers, Gene Good and W.C. Good, both of Elkton; six grandchildren, Pamela Marie Shifflett and husband, William, of Timberville, Amanda Kaye Gainer and husband, Ray, of Grottoes, Melissa Dawn Lawson and husband, Jeremy, of Stanley, Stephen Daniel Price of Verona, Jeremy David Hildebrand and wife, Beth, of Shenandoah, and Jaden Dean Good of Elkton; and 11 great-grandchildren, Joshua Allen Shifflett, Colby Del Talbott, Anthony Lee Talbott, Bradley DeWayne Talbott, Dakota Scott Lawson, Logan Comer Lawson, Torri Faith Lawson, Haleigh Elizabeth Hildebrand, Camden David Hildebrand, Sawyer Austin Hildebrand and Ragan Danielle Price.
The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Elkton with the Revs. Benjamin Cubbage and Ann Sisson officiating. Burial will follow at the Dean Mountain cemetery on Skyline Drive.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends may also call at the family home anytime.
Memorial contributions may be made to RMH Hospice, 235 Cantrell Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, and St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Owen M. Hollar
Owen Michael Hollar, 3, of Harrisonburg died Tuesday June 17, 2008, at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. Owen was born Dec. 29, 2004, in Norfolk, Va.
He is survived by his parents, Travis Michael and Dena Carrier Hollar of Harrisonburg. He attended the Pre-school program at South River Elementary School in Grottoes.
Owen was diagnosed with Leigh's Disease, a form of Mitochondrial Disease, two years ago. His courage battling this illness brought family, friends and community together giving the entire family a sense of strength. Owen could light up a room with his bright smile and big, blue eyes.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Andrew 'Drew' L. Hollar, age 5; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Wanda Carrier of Mount Sidney; paternal grandparents, Michael and Shelby Hollar of Edinburg; a great-grandfather, Eugene McIlwee; great-grandmother Ruth Hollar; two aunts and uncles, Chad and Michelle Carrier Sligh and Matthew and Stacey Hollar Smith. His three surviving cousins, Lynsey and Cole Sligh and Madison Smith shared lots of smiles and giggles with Owen.
He was loved by his entire family and will be missed by all who knew him.
A private Graveside service will be held on Friday June 20, 2008, at East Lawn Memorial Garden. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Harrisonburg Baptist Church located at South Main and Liberty Street. Pastor David Burch will officiate the services. A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall. In honor of Owen, the family has asked those attending the service to wear something blue.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Road Suite 201 Pittsburgh, PA 15239 or www.UMDF.ORG
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
Kenneth Leslie Koch
Kenneth Leslie Koch, 79, of Harrisonburg, died Monday, June 16, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Koch was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Bedford, Ind., and was the son of the late Lawrence and Inez Tatem Koch.
He served in the U.S. Marines and continued his service in the Air Force before retiring in 1967 after 22 years of service. Following his military career he was an assistant manager of the Advance Store in downtown Harrisonburg and later was a school bus driver with the City of Harrisonburg. He was a member of the Bethlehem Church, Rion-Bowman VFW Post No. 632 and BPOE No. 450 in Harrisonburg.
On June 4, 1974, he married
Evangeline 'Shorty' Virginia Koch, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Robert 'Bobby' H. Koch of Grottoes, R. E. Payne and Jimmy Payne, both of Winchester; a number of grandchildren, a number of great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pastor Thomas A. Smith will conduct a private graveside service at Beaver Creek cemetery near Dayton. Friends may call at the home of the family at any time.
Memorial contributions may be made to RMH Hospice, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1477, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Dwane "Mike" Michael
Dwane "Mike" Sherwood Michael, 68, of Verona, died April 25, 2008, at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Michael was born May 12, 1939, in Mount Solon, and was the son of the late Wright S. and Stella Howdyshell Michael.
Mike was a lifetime resident of the valley and was in the first class at the new Turner Ashby High School in Dayton and graduated in 1957. He served four years in the United States Navy, including two tours of duty on the U.S.S. Roosevelt. After 36 years of service as an electrician, he retired from Dupont Fibers in Waynesboro. He was a member of the A.F.&A.M. Eureka Lodge No. 195 and Bicentennial Lodge No. 1978, Woodman of the World, the National Rifle Association, Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, and a former member of the Moose Lodge. Mike is affectionately remembered by family and friends who share his enthusiasm for a variety of activities, especially hunting and fishing.
Surviving family includes two daughters, Dorinda M. Walton of Midlothian and Melanie M. Fentress of Virginia Beach; two sisters, Gail Shull and husband, Gayle, of Bridgewater and Joan Michael of Harrisonburg; two grandchildren, Tate K. Walton and Jacob A. Fentress; four nephews and two nieces.
A memorial service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Glenn Bollinger officiating.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. Private burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, 5651 Beaver Creek Road, Bridgewater, VA 22812-9416, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation, Suite 514, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111, or to the American Heart Association, Memorials & Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058.
Cynthia Sady
Cynthia 'Cindy' Louise Sady, 46, of Lacey Spring, died Monday, June 16, 2008, at her home.
Mrs. Sady was born July 14, 1961, in Rockingham County and was the daughter of the late Charles N. Sr. and Betty Lou Crider Boyden.
She was a mechanical drafter with MEI Engineering in Harrisonburg. She spent most of her life in the area but moved and worked in Charleston, S.C., also as a mechanical drafter for a number of years.
On Aug. 30, 1996, she married
Richard James Sady, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Ian Aaron Lock of Lacey Spring and Daniel Benjamin Sady of Harrisonburg; two brothers, Charles N. Boyden Jr. of Roanoke and Arnold B. Edwards of Los Angeles and a number of nieces and nephews.
Pastor Patti Covington will conduct a graveside funeral 2 p.m. Saturday in Lindale cemetery in Lindale. The family will receive friends from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
Maxine B. Dean
Maxine Black Dean, 77, of Harrisonburg, went peacefully home, to be with her Lord, after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, June 28, 2008.
Mrs. Dean was born on Nov. 23, 1930, in Harrisonburg, and was the daughter of the late Albert and Ella Freeze Black. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church. She last worked at the Golden Skillet Restaurant at Red Front Supermarket.
Her husband, Leo Dean, preceded her in death, as well as two sisters and two brothers, one of which was her twin.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Larry Garber of Dayton, and one granddaughter, Kimberly Garber of Dayton.
During her life, Maxine was a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed her Victorian decorated apartment and working in her beautiful flowerbed.
A private graveside will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Herwin Chapel cemetery near Linville with Pastors Dan and Renee Garber officiating. There will be no formal visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the RMH Cancer Center, 100 E. Grace St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is handling the arrangements.
Lewis Boucher
Lewis "Petey" Pierre Boucher, 29, of Shenandoah, died Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville from injuries sustained from an accident in Woodstock, Va.
Petey was born Nov. 2, 1978, in Baltimore, Md.
On July 8, 2006, he married
Crystal Lynn Hensley, who survives; besides his wife he is also survived by two godchildren, Ellie Nicole and Abby Leigh Dovel; parents, Lewis P. Sr. and Maggie Palange Boucher of Baltimore, Md.; two brothers, Pete Dwojewski, Donald Dwojewski Jr., both of Baltimore, Md.; one sister, Nicole Dwojewski of Baltimore, Md.; grandmother, Mary W. Boucher of Ruckersville; two uncles, Joe Boucher and Doug Boucher, both of Ruckersville; five nieces and six nephews.
Petey attended high school in Baltimore, Md., and continued his education in the Job Corps. He worked in construction most of his life and recently was employed by Lantz Construction in Harrisonburg.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Elkton with Pastor Jimmy Kite officiating. Burial will follow in the Elk Run cemetery in Elkton.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Elkton. Friends may also call at the Boucher home at anytime.
The family will be holding Petey's traditional Fourth of July party on Friday night after the viewing in Petey's honor. It was his favorite holiday.
