U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Joyce A. Tiller
Joyce Ann Deel Tiller, 48, of Davenport, went home to be with the Lord Jan. 22, 2004 at her home following an extended illness.
Born March 13, 1955 in Grundy, she was a daughter of Arville Edison Deel of Davenport and the late Leah Katherine Boyd Deel.
A lifelong resident of the Buchanan County area, she was a devoted wife and loving mother. She had a true love for the Lord and was a member of the Tiller Town Free Will Baptist Church in Council.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by one brother, William Silas Deel.
Additional survivors: loving husband of 31 years, Lonnie Lawson Tiller; daughters, Rhonda Renee Edwards and husband, Tim, of Council, Kay Michelle Stevens and husband, Mark, of Lebanon, Sandra Marie Tiller of the home; very special grandsons, whom she greatly adored, Anthony Shane Edwards and Timothy Charles Edwards; sisters, Linda Compton of Madison, MS, Shirly Bailey of Lebanon, Sharon Tiller of Mims, FL; and brothers, Jerry Deel of Bluefield, WV, Donald Deel of Belfast, Kenny Deel and Grayson Deel, both of Davenport, Douglas Deel of Haysi and Arville Deel Jr. of Bristol, VA.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Kyle Ratliff officiating.
Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Trula M. Tobias
Trula Marie Osborne Tobias, 84, of Loveland, OH, formerly of Russell County, died Jan. 21, 2004 at her home.
Born in Honaker, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Lillie Osborne.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters.
She was the beloved wife of the late Edward John Tobias, Sr. and loving mother of Edward John Tobias, Jr., wife, Mary, Stephanie Suzanne Tobias, Stephen Paul Tobias, wife, Mary, Thomas Andrew Tobias, wife, Diane, Jane Marie Miller, husband, Robert, Elizabeth Ann Ehlers, husband, Michael, Timothy Michael Tobias, wife, Mary, and the late Elaine Terrell Ullett. She was a devoted grandmother of 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and a dear sister of Betty Hablutzel of Florence, KY, Frances Shortt of Richlands, Norma Howard of Eight Mile, AL, Cliff Osborne, Brunswick, OH, Jack Osborne, Yuma, AZ, and Cecil Paul Osborne of Mt. Home, TN. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Loveland Church of Christ in Loveland.
Interment followed at the Gate of Heaven cemetery in Montgomery, OH.
Obituary submitted by the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.
Thelma J. Varney
Thelma J. Varney, 83, of Richlands, died Jan. 25, 2004 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Russell County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Mary Corns Miller.
She was a member of the Richlands Tabernacle.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clive Varney; five sisters, Ruthie Miller, Mollie Miller, Gertie Miller, Cora Johnson and Carmie Miller; and four brothers, Leslie Miller, Rufus Miller, Clarence Miller and Guy Miller. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation.
Survivors: son, Keith Varney and wife, Wanda, of Pounding Mill; daughters, Karen Horton and husband, Danny, and Joetta Ray and husband, Jack, all of Raven; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 28 at the Richlands Tabernacle in Richlands with Rev. Ralph Horton and Rev. Carl Robinson officiating.
Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of the arrangements.
Basil M. Vassar
Basil Moorefield Vassar, 80, of Tazewell, died Jan. 25, 2004 at his home.
Born at Keysville in Prince Edward County, he was a son of the late Oscar Levi Vassar and Mary (Mamie) Atkinson Vassar.
He served his country in the Army Air Corps (Force) during World War II in the European Theatre and saw duty in England, France and Belgium. Once he received his honorable discharge, he returned to Blacksburg and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1948. After graduation, he was employed by Appalachian Power Company until his retirement in 1986.
He was a long time member of Tazewell Baptist Church, where he was recently honored as a deacon emeritus. In addition, he was an active member of the North Tazewell Lions Club, was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, and served as president during 1965-1966.
Survivors: wife, Nannie (Nancy) Foster Vassar; daughters, Cynthia Vassar Matthews and husband, Scott, of Raleigh, NC, Mary Vassar Jones and husband, Richard (Dickie), of North Tazewell, Anna Vassar Beavers and husband, Mark, of Bluefield, WV; sons, John Vassar and wife, Norma, of Roanoke, Charles Vassar and wife, Denise, of Newport News; sisters, Elizabeth Vassar Pickett of Farmville, Lois Vassar Walker of Charlotte Court House, Edith Vassar Gentry of Framingham, MA; brother, Reginald Vassar of Erie, PA; grandchildren, John Vassar, Jr., Christy Vassar Nodes, Sophia Vassar, Tabitha Vassar, Benjamin Vassar, Tanya Jones Mullins, Brian Jones and Stacy Vassar; and great-grandchildren, Desiree Vassar, John Vassar, III, Nicholas Vassar, Angelica Vassar, Samantha Nodes, Alexis Jones, Skylar Jones and William Dallas Serfass.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at Tazewell Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Belcher and the Rev. Clarence O. Vassar officiating.
Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Tazewell Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 592, Tazewell, VA 24651, the North Tazewell Lions Club, P.O. Box 1225, North Tazewell, VA 24630, or your favorite charity.
Cora L. Williamson
Cora Louise Williamson, 81, of Bristol, VA, died Jan. 23, 2004 in a Lebanan hospital following a long illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Fulton Marshall and Nora Shamblin Stamper.
She was a retired cafeteria worker at Richlands High School and was a member of the Full Gospel Temple Church at Miracle Valley in Richlands.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gaius Fletcher (Bud) Williamson; one daughter, Norma Adkins; four sisters, Hazel Price, Catherine Jones, Pansy Lilly and Rosa Winebarger; and two brothers, Tommy Stamper and Malcolm M. Stamper.
Survivors: son, Donald Williamson of Abingdon; daughters, Gayna Johnson of Richlands, Mrs. Roger (Donna) Mullins of Belfast; brothers, Jack B. Stamper of Ennga, TN, Cecil E. Stamper of Grafton, David R. Stamper of Union, OH; sister, Mrs. Kenneth (Carrie) Wilson of Matthews; sister-in-law, Pansy Stamper of Abingdon; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Tony Shrader officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
George L. Armbrister
George Litz Armbrister, 79, of Bluefield, VA, died Jan. 11, 2004 in Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born in McDowell County, he was a son of the late Cloyd M. Armbrister and Kathleen M. Sluss Armbrister.
He was a former band director at Northfork High School and Elkhorn School for several years and later was music director for many schools in Tazewell County. He received his degree in music at Concord College where he also was member of the Concord Commanders. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II, serving on the U.S.S. Hancock and was in the Navy Band. He was a member of the Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church, Fincastle Country Club, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and the Tazewell County Sportsman’s Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Cloyd P. Armbrister; one sister, Hazel Jordan; two brothers-in-law, W. Banks Jordan and Weldon James "Happy" Wright; and one nephew, James Weldon Wright II.
Survivors: sister, Ethel Elizabeth Wright of Nathalie; nieces, Janice Davis and husband, Lee Roy, of Nathalie, Lynette Wright of Daleville; great-nieces, Sarah Elizabeth Hamlette and husband, Bernard and Kathleen T. Jennings and husband, Scottie, all of Brookneal; several great-great-nieces and nephews; and several close friends.
Graveside services were conducted Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Maple Wood cemetery in Tazewell with the Rev. Lee Roy Davis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church, 1901 Virginia Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA, was in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth M. Branch
Elizabeth Mozelle Tiller Branch, 90, of Bluefield, VA, died Jan. 17, 2004 in Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born at Springville, she was a daughter of the late William Jason Tiller and Kate Carter Tiller.
She was a lifelong resident of Tazewell County.
She was a charter member of the Mountain View Church of Christ, Springville, and a Sunday School Teacher at Springville Christian Church for more than 25 years. During WW II, she was an employee of National Electric Coil Co. in Bluefield. After the war, she became a full time homemaker, devoting her time to her family, church, school and community work.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman Lee Branch Sr.; one son, William Daniel Branch; two brothers, Jason Tiller and John Tiller; and one sister, Margaret Tiller Walk.
Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Sherman Lee Branch Jr. and wife, Ann, of Bluefield, VA; sister, Willie Tiller Faulkner of Springville; brother, Charles Tiller of Springville; and special neighbors, Earl Erskine family and Dow and Von Bourne of Bluefield, VA.
The funeral will be conducted Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Minister Keith Stiltner and Bill Kinser officiating.
Entombment will follow at a later date at the Grandview Mausoleum.
Ollivene E. Buchanan
Ollivene E. Buchanan, 59, of Thompson Valley, died Jan. 12, 2004 at her home.
Born Feb. 16, 1944 at Horsepen, she was a daughter of the late Harley and Bittie Stilwell Dickens.
She was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and the Thompson Valley Community Association.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Clinton Dickens and Thurman Dickens, and one sister, Beatrice Cook.
Survivors: husband, George W. "Butch" Buchanan; son, George G. "Greg" Buchanan and wife, Kelley, and their daughter, Jordan, all of Thompson Valley; brother, Coy Dickens of Abbs Valley; and sister, Edith Lewis of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Jared Wood and the Rev. Eddie Nash officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, c/o Cecil A. Rhudy, Treasurer, Rt. 1 Box 479 Tazewell, VA 24651.
John A. Gilbert
John A. Gilbert, 70, of Windham, OH, formerly of Jewell Ridge, died Jan. 15, 2004 at his home following a brief illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Bliss and Lillie Boyd Gilbert, both Tazewell County natives.
He had made his home in the Cleveland, OH area most of his life and was a retired machine operator. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Shelby, NC, and was a member of Cleveland Police Patrolmen Association. He was a U.S. Navy Korean War veteran.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Buford Gilbert.
Survivors: daughters, Crystal Esposito and Hope Gilbert Bradshaw and husband, Robert, all of Windham, OH; sons, Fletcher Gilbert and fiancée, Cassie Lewis, and John Gilbert, Jr. and fiancée, Jacqueline Macko, all of Cleveland, OH; sister, Charlotte Barrett of Richlands; brother, Gene Gilbert of Walhalla, SC; and grandchildren, Patricia McConville, John Gilbert, III, Cassie Torres, Marcus Gilbert, Shyann Gilbert, and Samatha Esposito.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. William Fletcher officiating.
Interment followed at the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
Woodrow W. (Johnny) Hale
Woodrow W. (Johnny) Hale, 82, of Bluefield, VA, died Jan. 14, 2004 in a Roanoke hospital.
Born in Falls Mills, he was a son of the late Joseph Moss Hale and Beatrice Tabor Hale.
He was a member of the Falls Mills Christian Church and a member of the VFW. He was a former employee of the N & W Railroad and was employed by the Tazewell County School Board until his retirement and served in the Army-Air Corp during W.W. II.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Travis Powell; eight brothers, George, R.A., Gene, Claude, Charles, Joe, Walton and Roy James Hale; and two sisters, Ruth Corrito and Elizabeth Backus.
Survivors: wife, Zelda Louise Patrick Hale; son, Jim Hale and wife, Linda, of Bluefield, VA; daughters, Patsy Tesso of Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Darlyn Connerley and husband, Dave, of Sacramento, CA, Kathryn S. Hale of Winston Salem, NC; sisters, Mary Mays of Charlestown, WV, Julitta Gott of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren, Beth Hale, Tony Tesso, Angela McPherson and Marc Powell; great-grandchildren, James, Seth, Ryan and Dylan McPherson; and special nephew, David and Debbie Hale of Falls Mills.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Tom Reid officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens on the Bluefield-Tazewell Rd.
