U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Angela (Angie) Baker
Angela (Angie) Gail Baker, 47, of Abingdon, died Sept. 3, 2006 at her home following a brief illness.
Born in Richlands, she was the daughter of Anna Ruth Ball McGuire of Lebanon and the late John Calvin Richie.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one sister, Nora Rene Richie, and grandparents, Jonah and Nora Ball.
Additional survivors: sons, Jonah Richie and wife, Annie, of Columbia, SC, Derek Baker of Mountain City, TN; step father, Kelley McGuire of Lebanon; sisters, Tammy Richie and Brandi Gilbert of Bluefield, VA; and granddaughter, Bianca Zyra Baker of Mountain City.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Sept. 7 in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Elder Ezra Davis, Jr. officiating.
Burial followed in the Pinion Family cemetery at Swords Creek.
Ezra L. Blankenship
Ezra Lincous Blankenship, 84, of Cedar Bluff, died Sept. 6, 2006 in a Bristol, TN, hospital.
Born Oct. 13, 1921 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Ada and Louisa Victoria Cantrell Blankenship.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was of the Pentecostal Holiness faith. A United States Army veteran, he had served in World War II. He was a disabled coal miner, having been employed by Jewell Smokeless Coal Company.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Vunia Oakley Horne Blankenship; his second wife, Lydia Belle Osborne Blankenship; several brothers and sisters; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter.
Survivors: daughters, Ollie Blankenship Lester and husband, Edward, of Richlands, Trula Kiser and husband, Dennis, of Doran, Mary Osborne and husband, Curtis, Myrtle Sisk and husband, Ray, and Alice Keene and husband, Jeff, all of Oakwood; sons, James Roger Blankenship of Rosedale, John Blankenship and wife, Brenda of Raven, Carl Blankenship and wife, Margaret, of Claypool Hill, Rev. Andrew Blankenship and wife, Sharon, of Richlands, Ezra Jackie Blankenship and wife, Sherry, of Venus, TX; sister, Marie Horne of Raven; several step-sons and step-daughters; 26 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 12 noon Sept. 8 at the Wilderness Tabernacle on Horne Mountain with Rev. Jason Nunley, Rev. Billy Harrison, and Rev. Kenneth Byrd officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside services were conducted by the American Veterans Honor Guard of Richlands.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Stella C. McNeil Carlson
Stella C. McNeil Carlson, 88, of Tazewell, died Sept. 9, 2006 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born at Whitewood, she was the daughter of the late John G. and Mary R. Cole McNeil, both Buchanan County natives.
She made her home in the Whitewood area for most of her life until the 1970’s when she and her husband moved to Tazewell. She was a homemaker and attended First Assembly of God in Tazewell.She is the widow of Francis G. Carlson. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two sisters, Virgie Clifton and Macie Salyers. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: special niece, Betty Bishop of Kingsport, TN; special caregiver; Linda Skeens of Princeton, WV; and several other nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 11 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell at 7 p.m. with Rev. Stanley Sims officiating.
Interment followed Sept. 12 at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
Earl E. Childress
Earl E. Childress, 86, of Vansant, died Sept. 11, 2006 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Elijah and Burgie Harris Childress.
He was the Owner/Operator of Childress Furniture for the past 47 years. He was a life long resident of Buchanan County and was of the protestant faith.
He was a member of the United States Army during World War II having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. He received the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Philippine Liberation Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He served overseas for 18 months with the 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Division, 6th Army and participated in two major battles against the enemy. He was a lifetime member of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion. He is the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Ratliff Childress Jan. 17, 1999; three sisters, Orie Yates, Frances Smith and Alice Elswick; four brothers, Ralph, Ruey, George and Curtis Childress; and one infant brother.
Survivors: daughter, Debbie and husband, Jonathan Woods, of Vansant; son, Tony and wife, Elizabeth Childress, of Abingdon; grandchildren, Anthony and wife, Pat Childress, and Tarina Cox, all of Abingdon, Stephen and wife, Christy Childress, of Lebanon, Ryan and wife, Wendy Woods, of Rosedale, Brandon Woods of Vansant; and seven great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Michael Trent officiating.
Burial will follow in Paris H. Ratliff cemetery, at the Mouth of Young Branch on Garden Creek, near Mt. Heron.
Friends may call at the funeral home chapel Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. with a song service at 7:30 p.m.
Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
Patricia “Pat” Crouse
Patricia “Pat” Lee Davis Crouse, 52, wife of James Crouse, of Fountain Inn, SC, died Sept. 11, 2006 at Oakmont East Nursing Center.
She was born Aug. 18, 1954, in Richlands to the late Harry Lee Davis and Genevia Looney Davis.
She was an alumnus of Southwest Virginia Community College, and worked with IHS of the Upstate.
Additional survivors: son, Eugene Smith; daughters, Angela Stewart and husband, Glen, and Crystal Ball and husband, Greg; brother, Troy “Buster” Davis; sister, Sissy Garman; granddaughter, Brittany Stewart; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Chapel of Fletcher Funeral Service in Fountain Inn with Rev. John Woods officiating.
Burial will be in Cannon Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.
John Alexander Elswick
John Alexander Elswick, 54, of Tazewell, died Sept. 5, 2006 at his residence.
Born July 2, 1952, at Tazewell, he was the son of the late James Tipton (Slim) Elswick, Sr. and the late Ethel Boothe Elswick.
He was a loving caregiver of his parents until their death, and also a devoted brother, uncle, and friend to many in the community. He loved serving the Lord and helping anyone who needed help. He loved to make Afghans to give away and his greatest pleasure was to cook and bake so friends could enjoy their time together over a meal.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, PFC James Tipton (J.T.) Elswick, Jr.; his grandparents, Austin Alexander and Relida Debord Boothe, John Henry and Nannie Patrick Elswick; and a dear friend, Irene Kestner (Madame K).
Survivors: sister, Kitty Murray and husband, Mike, of Baptist Valley; nieces, Amanda Murray of Florida, Krista Murray Salyers and husband, Adam, of Bandy; great nieces, Brooke Ashley Salyers and Emma Grace Salyers of Bandy, Hailey Nicole Murray of Florida; very special cousin, Nan Dunford of Richlands; very, very special friends, Lisa and Jim Giacoma, Sarah Paige Galviano and daughter, Hannah, of South Carolina, Amanda Eaves and husband, Danny, and their sons Tyler, and Brady Eaves, Charles Erwin Earnest, Jr. of Bluefield, VA, Max Kestner and family of Castlewood, Violet Cassett and family of Richmond, Brother Walter Armstrong and wife, Martha, of Tazewell, Mon and Dad Rector of Tazewell, Pearline Murray of Baptist Valley, Charles E. Ernest, Sr. and J. D. of North Tazewell, Marlene Tatum and family of Tazewell; and beloved Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends.
Per his request, he was cremated and no flowers.
There was a gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life at Tazewell Baptist Church, where he attended faithfully, at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 with Rev. Robert Belcher and Rev. Kenneth Gillespie officiating the memorial service.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Emma Jean Farmer
Emma Jean Farmer, 66, of Richlands, died Sept. 8, 2006 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Walter Thomas and Carrie Lena Hagy Cordle, both Tazewell County natives.
She had made her home in the Richlands area all of her life and was a former babysitter and housekeeper. She was of the Holiness faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey C. “Shorty” Farmer; one brother, Archie William Cordle; two half brothers; and step father, Clarence Helbert.
Survivors: sisters, Lois Farmer and husband, Claude, of Elon, NC, Katherine Vencill of Bandy; half sisters, Martha Stiltner of Rosedale, Linda Lowe of Pounding Mill, Faye Gilbert of Jewell Ridge, Brenda Lester, Mary Puckett, Sharon Blankenship and Ruth Dowdy, all of Richlands; half brothers, Wayne Cordle, David Cordle, Tommy Cordle and Dean Cordle, all of Richlands, Larry Helbert of Wardell, Bobby Joe Helbert, Randy Lee Helbert, David Wayne Helbert, Melvin Helbert, Michael Helbert, and Jerry Glen Helbert, all of North Carolina, and step mother, Emma Frances Cordle of Richlands.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Tim Lester officiating.
Interment followed at Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
Lillie Mae Harrison
The sun rose on May 10, 1912 in Clintwood for Lillie Mae Harrison, age 94 of Richlands, and the sun set on Sept. 3, 2006 at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
She had made her home in Richlands with her daughter and son-in-law, Juanita and Raymond Johnson for 41 years, before becoming a resident of Maple Grove Healthcare Center in Lebanon for the past 15 months. She was as 34 year member of Trinity Assembly of God Church in Cedar Bluff.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Creed Bryant and Virgie Bryant Beavers; her husband, Billy Harrison; two daughters, Maxine (Daisy) Christian and Ruth Leffel; two grandsons, Mike Rasnake and Randy Casey; and one granddaughter, Sharon Wolverton.
Survivors: daughters, Juanita Johnson and husband, Raymond, of Richlands, Linda Rasnake of Wilmington, NC, Jean Ball of Baltimore, MD, Joann Beavers and husband, Riley, of Max Meadows, Oma Harmon of Wooster, OH; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Max Linkous, Rev. Ethel Watson and Rev. Rick Herald officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Willis Harrison
Willis Harrison, 65, a resident of Mooresville, NC, and formerly of Thomasville, NC, died Sept. 3, 2006 at his residence.
Born in Dix Creek Oct. 25, 1940, he was a son of Thomas Harrison and Sallie Altizer Harrison.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and had retired from High Point Furniture Company. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lawrence Harrison, Allen Harrison and Glen Harrison; and two sisters, Ethel Beavers and Lucille Gillespie.
On Jan. 15, 1966 he was married
to Shirley Ann McKinney who survives of the home. Additional survivors: daughter, Rhonda Lynn Hiser and husband, Bill, of Navarre, FL; son, Mike Orman and wife, Sabrina, of Thomasville; sisters, Ruby Collier, Willetta Simpson, and Sarah Cochran, all of Cedar Bluff, Mozelle Van Dyke and husband, Floyd, of Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Michael Orman, Chris Orman, Casa Lloyd, and Cameron Roberts; five great-grandchildren; and special nephew, Donnie Harrison and wife, Ann, of Oak Island, NC.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at J.C. Green & Sons Chapel in Thomasville by the Rev. Michael Orman and the Rev. Kevin Morris.
Burial was in Holly Hill Memorial Park cemetery in Thomasville.
Lois Ann Hess
Lois Ann Hess, 71, of Pounding Mill, died Sept. 7, 2006 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born Feb. 17, 1935 in Brown Ridge, she was the daughter of the late Jay and Irma Brown Horn.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Chester Horn; one son-in-law, Mark Lankford; one step-son, Winston Brian Hess; and one step-granddaughter, Regina Ann Hess.
Survivors: husband of 32 years, Winfred (Wint) Hess; daughters, Teresa Nelson and husband, Homer, of Richlands, Belinda Lankford of Gastonia, NC, Anita VanDyke of Abingdon; son, Wesley Hess of Lebanon; sisters, Marie Jackson of Richlands, Evelyn Horn of Cedar Bluff, Gladys Horn of Jewell Ridge, Maxie DeBord of Tazewell, Lillie McGraw of Deland, FL; brother, Roger Horn of Pennsylvania; step-son, Jerome Hess of Loveland, CO; step-daughter, Teresa Ann Hess of Emerald Isle, NC; grandchildren, Sarah DeRoberts, Chris DeRoberts, Amanda Roland, Donnie Roland, Jeremy Nelson, Jessica Nelson, Carly Nelson, Winston Hess, Keith Hess, Paul Hess, Jeremy Hess and Mandolin Graham; and six great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Adam Frye and Rev. Paul Griffith officiating.
Burial followed in the Brown Ridge cemetery at Brown Ridge.
