U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Virginia B. Atkins
Virginia Bell Atkins, 87, of Glenwood Retirement Village and formerly from Bluefield, died Dec. 16, 2003 at Glenwood Park.
Born in Bluefield, she was a daughter of the late James and Effie Starling.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Janet Hobbs; her husband, Augusta H. Hensley; and several brothers and sisters.
Survivors: sons, Jimmy Hensley of Newton Grove, NC, Johnny Hensley and wife, Patty, of Princeton, WV; daughter, Judy Chambers and husband, Rick, of Kearneysville, WV; sister, Ruth Starling of Bluefield, VA; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted Dec. 19, 2003 at 1 p.m. at the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Bluewell with the Rev. Jimmy Bailey officiating.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA, was in charge of arrangements.
Walter H. Boyd
Walter H. Boyd, 75, of Fork Ridge, died Jan. 1, 2004 in a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Charlie and Martha Sisk Boyd.
He was a retired coal miner. He was a U.S. Army Veteran in the Korean Conflict and was a member of the John Ratliff Post #164 of the American Legion.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Deborah K. Boyd, and six brothers, Leonard Boyd, Titus Boyd, Dennis Boyd, Elmer Boyd, Delmer Boyd and Orland Boyd.
Survivors: wife of 53 years, Mable Arms Boyd; daughters, Carol Absher and husband, Larry, of Cedar Bluff, Linda Cordill of Baptist Valley, Freda Thomas and husband, Don, of Bluefield, WV, Shirley Carroll and husband, Glenn, of Springville; sons, Joe Boyd and wife, Diana, of Shortt Gap, James Boyd and wife, Diane, of Dandridge, TN, Jerry Boyd and wife, Debbie, of Hedgeville, WV; sister, Loya Davis of Shortt Gap; brother, Otis Boyd of Woster, OH; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 4 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Jimmy Richardson officiating.
Burial followed in the Boyd Family cemetery in Buchanan County.
John Ratliff Post #164 conducted military graveside rites.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible in the Schools, PO Box 543, Bluefield, WV 24701.
Frankie Childress
Frankie Childress, 83, of Grundy, died Jan. 1, 2004 in Buchanan General Hospital at Grundy following a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Elisha and Julia Thornsberry.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Harv Deskins; second husband, Perry Childress; five sisters, Patty Day, Callie Stacy, Nancy Keen, Okie Mullins and Evie Mullins; three half-sisters; and two half-brothers. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation.
Survivors: daughters: Maria Planpz of Charlestown, WV, Juanita Keen and husband, James, of Keen Mountain; sons, Harland Deskins and wife, Marie, of North Tazewell, Windell Deskins and wife, Shelby, of Keen Mountain, Remire Deskins and wife, Judy, of Meadowview, Wayne Deskins and wife, Bertina, of North Tazewell, Larry Deskins of Abingdon; 22 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and special nieces, Bee Lester of Winchester, and Nardie Reynolds of Claypool Hill.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 in the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Rev. Kenny Byrd, Rev. Rick Whitt and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Burial followed in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park cemetery at Big Rock.
Services were conducted Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ruey Childress
Ruey Childress, 61, of Springfield, died Jan. 2, 2004 at his home.
He was a son of Estelle Lockhart of Springfield and the late Hurshel Childress.
He was a graduate of Council High School and was an electrical engineer with T.R.W. in Springfield.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Albert Lockhart; his maternal grandparents, Lottie and Paul Austin; and his paternal grandparents, John and Abigail Childress.
Additional survivors: brother and sister-in-law, Lowey and Velma Childress of Honaker; niece, Rebecca Hess of Honaker; and special friends.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Clyde Lambert, Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Giles Wilson officiating.
Interment followed in Russell Memorial cemetery in Lebanon.
Ralph Edward Cox
Ralph Edward Cox, 45, of Cedar Bluff, formerly of Buchanan County, died Dec. 29, 2003 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Tivis E. Cox and Sandra Winchester Cox of Vansant.
He was a resident of Buchanan County for several years prior to moving to Cedar Bluff. He was a member of Vansant Church of Christ and was a disabled coal miner.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Frank Winchester, and paternal grandparents, Druie and Mary Cox.
Additional survivors: wife, Kimberlee Dawn Robinson Cox; sons, Derik Lee Horn of Patterson, Bobby Lee Cox of Grundy; step-daughter, Amy Deel of Reidsville, NC, step-son, Derick Wimmer of Bethlehem, PA; sisters, Tammy Yates of Rowe, Debbie Keene of Grundy, Rita Cox of Vansant; brothers, Tim Cox of Vansant, Jeff Cox of Rowe; grandsons, Tre Wimmer, Raleigh Deel and Carson Deel; maternal grandmother, Lottie Meadows Winchester of Oakwood; and special niece, Amanda Cox of Vansant.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Mike Rife officiating.
Burial followed in the Dry Fork Community cemetery at Vansant.
Services were conducted at the funeral home Dec. 31, 2003 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 7 p.m.
Hattie H. Hampton
Hattie Hinkle Hampton, 86, of the Baptist Valley section of Cedar Bluff, went to be with the Lord Dec. 31, 2003 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late Robert Allen and Mallie Burke Hinkle, both Tazewell County natives.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Levi James Hampton, whom she married
April 16, 1941; step-mother, Arrie Barrett Hinkle; four sisters; and two brothers. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She loved her entire family and was a devoted loving and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was also a devoted friend, always willing to give and to help others. She was kind and very generous and will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Hattie received the Lord Jesus as her Savior as a young woman, was baptized and was a member of the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church.
She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a charter member of the former Cedar Bluff OES Chapter #158. She was a member of Tazewell OES Chapter #187 and dual member of Richlands OES Chapter #104. She was a Past Matron of Cedar Bluff and Tazewell OES. She was appointed Grand Representative of Kentucky in 1968, and held many other Grand Chapter committee positions. She was appointed Grand Warder of the Grand Chapter of Virginia OES 1978-1979. She served many years as an officer in Macedonia Shrine #7 order of the White Shrine of Jerusalum of Bluefield, VA.
She was cared for and loved by all her children, her daughter, Carolyn Monk, lived with her for the last two and half years. Her passion in life was being involved in her different clubs and activities. She was like a rose in full bloom when she was working with others. Her life was based on being an asset to her family and friends and she will be truly missed.
Survivors: daughters, Roberta (Bobbie) Smith of Afton, Carolyn Monk of Tazewell, Donna Lawson and husband, Dave, of North Tazewell, Lois Hampton of Bristol, VA; son, John Wayne Hampton and wife, Barbara, of Cliffield; grandchildren, Christopher Smith, Cynthia Shell, Jennifer Gibson, Rhonda Fuller, William Monk II, Sharon Beth Kinser, David Lawson Jr., Brian Lawson, John Wayne Hampton Jr., James Curtis Hampton and Natashia Rhodes; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; and many Eastern Star Brothers and Sisters.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Jack Jenkins and Minister Lee Blackburn officiating.
Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Richlands OES Chapter #104 and Tazewell OES Chapter #187 conducted an Eastern Star memorial service Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the OES Home of Virginia, 3000 Chamberlayne Ave. Richmond, VA 23277.
Shirley A. Harrison
Shirley Ann Harrison, 56, of North Tazewell, died Dec. 31, 2003 in a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Louise Stevenson Harrison.
She was a former employee with Food City at Bluefield, VA. She was a member of the Church of God at Cliffield.
Survivors: brother, Johnnie Harrison of North Tazewell, and nephew, Jessie Harrison of Winston Salem, NC.
Memorial services will be conducted at a later date.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is serving the family.
Margaret Helmandollar
Margaret Helmandollar, 86, of Tip Top, died Jan. 3, 2004 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late William and Rhoda Margaret White Helmandollar.
She was a member of the Springville Christian Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Proffitt and Rhoda Rose; three brothers, George Helmandollar, Frank Helmandollar, and William Helmandollar; one half-sister, Lettie Helmandollar; three step brothers, Charlie Browning, Walt Helmandollar, and Andrew Helmandollar; and several nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: several loving nieces and nephews, and special friends, Bob and Margaret Pauley and Mae and Adriane Johnson, all of Tip Top.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA, with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangement.
Virginia (Jenny) Hess
Virginia (Jenny) Vandyke Hess, 78, of Richlands, died Jan. 5, 2004 at Russell County Medical Center in Lebanon following a long illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Harve and Macy Nipper Vandyke.
She was a retired employee of the Mattie Williams Hospital.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Eva Cox, and one brother, Raymond Vandyke.
Survivors: husband of 43 years, Roy C. Hess; daughter, Ruth Ann VanDyke of Kingsport, TN; stepsons, Cecil R. Hess of Richlands, Jerry Hess of Hurley; stepdaughters, Judy Bradshaw of Richlands, Faye Fitzwater of Norfolk; sister, Lottie Shelton of Doran; five step-grandchildren; and several step great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff.
Graveside services and entombment will be conducted Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Greenhills Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Murray Wallace "Littleman" Lawson
Murray Wallace "Littleman" Lawson, 82, of Whitewood, died Jan. 4, 2004 in a Lebanon hospital following an extended illness.
Born in Patrick County, he was the son of the late Novis Homer and Nettie Thompson Lawson, both North Carolina natives.
He had made his home in the Whitewood area for the past 56 years and was of the Baptist faith. He was a retired Vice President and mechanic and truck boss for Clifton and McDonald Coal Company. He was a member of UMWA Local #1594.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gaynell Cole Lawson; one daughter, Tonya Leigh Lawson; two sisters, Freda Stowe and Hester Fain; two brothers, Erb and Nash Lawson; and one infant brother.
Survivors: daughters, Patricia Honaker and husband, Jerry, of Pilgrim Knob, Redonna Mitchell and husband, Allen, of Jewell Ridge; son, Arthur H. Lawson and wife, Sue, of Whitewood; sister, Elva Underwood of Roanoke; brother, Rev. Earnest Lawson of Patrick Springs; special sisters-in-law, Roberta Ritchie, Arizona Cooke and Venus Mullins; special friends, Armalee Brown, Sue Stiltner, Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Robinson and Mose and Naomi "Top" Horn; and grandchildren, Brad Lawson, Alison Lawson, Jessica Sparks and Lindsay Honaker.
The funeral will be conducted Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Andy Maynard and Rev. Roger Street officiating.
Interment will follow at Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
