U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Elder Delford Ward
Elder Delford Ward, 64, of Pounding Mill, died May 30, 2004 at his home.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Cecil and Lillie Irene Smith Ward.
He was a Primitive Baptist Minister and was serving the Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church at Raven, the Miller View Primitive Baptist Church at Lebanon, and the New Garden Primitive Baptist Church at Honaker.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Rudolph Ward.
Survivors: wife of 45 years, Elsa Madeline (Mattie) Cantrell Ward; daughter, Nancy Irene Barton of Baltimore, MD; son-in-law, Ronald Barton of Pounding Mill; sisters, Geneva White of Grundy, Logene Barnette of Front Royal; and brothers, Ron Keith Ward of Melinta, OH, Kemp Ward of Luray, and Cecil (J.C.) Ward of Grundy.
The funeral was conducted June 4 at 2 p.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Elders Garnell Gilbert, Roger Fuller and Jim Duty officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
John S. Asbury
John Winfield Asbury, 72, of Cliffield, died peacefully May 25, 2004 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born in Thompson Valley, he was a son of the late John Winfield Asbury, Sr. and Bessie Griffith Asbury.
He attended the Dial Rock Church of God for many years and attended the Tazewell Family Worship Center. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, was a retired Brakeman with Norfolk and Southern Railway for over 36 years, and was a member of the United Transportation Union.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers, Clyde Asbury, Sherman Asbury, Howard Asbury, Tom Asbury, Earl Asbury and Calvin Asbury; and four sisters, Hilda Asbury, Georgia Levitt, Elsie Powers, and Marie Puckett.
Survivors: wife of 48 years, Helen Guy Asbury; daughters, Helen (Juni) Bailey of Tazewell, Mary (Jeanne) Collins and husband, Billy, of Bluefield, VA; grandson, Christopher Jordan Bailey and wife, Cerella, of Cliffield; step-grandchildren, William (Trey) Collins and Joseph Collins, both of Rocky Gap; sister, Louise Guy and husband, Vernon, of Cliffield; several nieces and nephews; and very dear friends, Johnny and Mary Catherine O’Quinn.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 28 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Max Linkous and Pastor Don Waddell officiating.
Burial followed at the Beavers cemetery at Cliffield.
Military graveside rites were conducted by members of the Barns-Beavers VFW Post #7136 of Tazewell.
For those who choose, the family request memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson Street, Bluefield, WV 24701.
Phyllis Blankenship
Phyllis Irene Justus Blankenship, 56, of the Brushy Fork area of Hurley, died May 25, 2004 at Buchanan General Hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Russell and Kelsa Smith Justus.
She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and attended Word Evangelistic Outreach Church. She was an employee of Buchanan County School System with 15 years of service at Hurley Middle School. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and homemaker.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Janet Toney, and three brothers, Eurmil Justus, Roger Justus and Teddy Justus.
Survivors: husband of 39 years, Charles E. Blankenship; sons, Chuck Blankenship and wife, Sandy, of Green Cove Springs, FL, Mark Blankenship and wife, Fran, of Keystone Heights, FL, Jeff Blankenship and wife, Roberta, of Vansant, Timmy Blankenship and wife, Marcy, of Hurley; sisters, Betty Justus of Hurley, Brenda Johnson of Dayton, TN, Pam Cole of Louisiana, Trish Hicks of Richlands, Nina Justus of Wisconsin; brothers, Sammy Justus of Pikeville, KY, Darrell Justus of Harman, Ricky Justus of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 28 at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darrell Davis officiating.
Burial followed in Justus cemetery on Brushy Fork near Hurley.
Services were conducted at the funeral home May 26 and 27 at 7 p.m.
John Donald “Don” Brown
John Donald “Don” Brown, 72, of North Tazewell, died May 30, 2004 while attending morning worship services at the Dial Rock Church of God.
Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late John A. and Sarah Elizabeth Beavers Brown.
He was of the Protestant faith and attended both the Dial Rock Church of God and the Voice of Praise Worship Center. He helped organize the Bandy Fire Department and served as the Fire Chief for the first four years of operation. He was an avid golfer and was a former member of the Wolf Creek Golf Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Ronald E. Brown; seven brothers, Paul Brown, Eugene Brown, Charles Brown, Carl Brown, Sam Brown, Robert Brown and Clyde F. Brown; two sisters, Ella Linkous and Eula Crigger. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors: wife of 51 years, Betty Pruett Brown; son, Robert E. Brown and wife, Greta, of North Tazewell; daughters, Susan Orander of Richlands, Joyce Murphy and husband, Marvin, of Winter Haven, FL, Patty Cole and husband, Steve, of Pounding Mill; grandchildren, Jared Cole, Jennifer Goff, Jesse Goff, Brian Murphy, Adam Murphy, Sara Goff, Jonathan Brown, and Tori Brown; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.
The funeral will be conducted June 2 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. John Canning, the Rev. Steve Branch, and the Rev. Erston Young officiating.
Entombment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
For those wishing to make memorial contributions, the family request donations be made to the ALS Association: 27001 Agoura RD. Suite 150 Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104.
Sherman D. Byrd
Delmer (Dale) Sherman Byrd, 60, of Roanoke, died May 29, 2004 surrounded by his loving family. He died peacefully at rest at home after an extended battle with leukemia.
Born in Richlands, he was a son of the late Joseph and Chloie Byrd.
He moved to the Roanoke Valley in 1972, working in the construction field. For 20 years prior to his illness he worked as a painting contractor.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Murphy.
Survivors: wife of 27 years, Louise (Michele) Tuck; children, Steve Byrd, Lane Byrd, Brian Edwards, Shannon Douglas, Kimberly Byrd and Nicole Byrd; siblings, Jack Byrd and wife, Darlene, Kenneth Byrd, Elmer Byrd and wife, Anne, Robert Byrd, Samuel Byrd and wife, Denise, Connie Van Dyke and Leslie Byrd; grandchildren, Joshua Byrd, Patrick Byrd, Chloie Erickson, Zachary Byrd, Amanda Byrd, Eric Byrd, Hannah Hubbard, Austin Byrd, Alyssa Byrd and Jonathan Edwards.
Services will be held June 2 at Oakey’s North Chapel at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia Society of America (Virginia Chapter), P.O. Box 21, Hampton, VA 23666.
Margaret S. Cisco
Margaret Surber Gillespie Cisco, 86, died May 29, 2004 in the Smyth County Community Hospital.
She was a member of the Main Street Christian Church and belonged to the Saltville Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Sam Gillespie, a former member of the Saltville Alkall baseball team, and second husband, Hugh Cisco.
Survivors: daughter, Mellie Gillespie Richards and husband, G.C., of Haw River, NC, Erma Gillespie Graham and husband, Bill, of Macon, GA; brother, Oliver Surber of Portland, ME; sisters, Mary Yarvis of Gary, IN, Lemmie DeBusk and Emily Haga, both of Saltville; six grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 31 at 11 a.m. in the D.R. Henderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Andy Bresnock officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Garden in Bluefield, VA.
Katherine W. Collins
Katherine Wilson Osborne Collins, 77, of Richlands, died May 28, 2004 in a Tazewell hospital following a long illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Bill and Annie Clifton Wilson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Otis Osborne; her second husband, James Armistead Collins, Sr.; one stepson, J.A. Collins, Jr.; two sisters, Mollie Wilson and Martha Shelton; seven brothers Otis Wilson, Albert Wilson, Jess Wilson, Sherman Wilson, Fred Wilson, Carl Wilson and John Wilson. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation.
Survivors: daughter, Annie Phillips, of Alexandria; son, Randall Osborne of Mantua, OH; stepdaughters, Edith Terdik of Abbs Valley, Doris Perkins of Chesterfield, Marge Adams of Hopewell; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be private.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.
Adrienne Elizabeth Wilcox Crabtree
Adrienne Elizabeth Wilcox Crabtree, 6, of North Tazewell, died May 28, 2004 in Bland County.
Born July 5, 1997 at Richlands, she was a daughter of April Dawn Wilcox of North Tazewell and Bill Wesley Crabtree of Gratton.
She was a first grade student at North Tazewell Elementary School. She loved horses, riding her bicycle and scooter, camping, watching movies and life.
She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparent, Robert and Helen Wilcox; maternal great-great grandparents, Charlie and Thenia Waddell; and paternal great-grandparents, John and Mae Crabtree.
Additional survivors: sisters, Madison Brooke of North Tazewell, Lakin Paige Crabtree of Tazewell; maternal grandparents, Thurrell and Wanda Wilcox of North Tazewell; paternal grandparents, Bill and Charlotte Crabtree of Gratton; paternal great-grandparents, Jerry and Rosa Widener of LaFayette, IN; aunt, Angela Crabtree of Gratton; and uncles, Sidney Crabtree of Pounding Mill and Robert Wilcox of North Tazewell.
The funeral will be conducted June 2 at 11 a.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Jonah Sparks officiating.
Burial will follow in Grandview Memory Gardens at Bluefield, VA.
Margie Davis
Margie Davis, 63, of Floyd, formerly of Hurley, died May 30, 2004 at Carilion New River Medical Center in Radford, following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Junior and Patty Magalene Stacy Davis.
She had been a resident of Floyd County for several years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Junior and Patty Magalene Stacy Davis, and one brother, McArthur Davis.
Graveside services will be conducted June 3 at 1 p.m. at Mountain Valley Memorial Park in Big Rock with Evg. Michael Trent officiating.
Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park.
Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 6 p.m. June 2.
Arnold “Tom” Dye
Arnold C. “Tom” Dye, 74, of Swords Creek, died May 28, 2004 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born in Russell County, he was a son of the late John Fred and Bertha Keen Dye.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a disabled coal miner.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Marie Dye, two brothers, John Dye and Perry Dye; and two sisters, Hester Hughes and Pinky Dye.
Survivors: sisters, Hazel Campbell of Doran, Jackie Johnson of Raven, Maxie Hale of Cedar Bluff, Sylvia Hess of Rowe, Becky Hale of Raven, Darlene Dye of Hansonville, Patty McManus of Hickory, NC; brothers, Joe Elmer Dye of Cedar Bluff, Bobby Dye and Charlie Dye, both of Swords Creek; stepdaughter, Gaylene Reynolds of Lenoir, NC; stepson, Alva Hess of Swords Creek, Elden Hess of Council, Jackie Hess of Honaker; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 30 at 1 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. David Perkins officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Kermit F. Farmer
Kermit Finis Farmer, 81, of the Fletchers Ridge section of Vansant, went to be with the Lord on May 26, 2004.
Born in Dickenson County, he was the son of the late Emmit and Virgie O’Quinn Farmer of Duty.
He was a lifelong resident of the area and a member of Fletcher’s Ridge Freewill Baptist Church. He was a decorated World War II Veteran, having belonged to the 18th Infantry Company C, fighting in The European Theatre of Operations. He received various medals including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA Local #1256.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors: devoted wife of 61 years, Juanita Nuckles Farmer; sons, Jackie Farmer and wife, Judy, of Apex, NC, Ronnie Farmer and wife, Carol, of Fredricksburg, PA, Nolan Farmer and wife, Alma, of Honaker; daughters, Mrs. Raymond (Joyce) Compton of Roanoke, Mrs. Darrell (Debbie) Lester of Vansant, Mrs. Carter (Charlotte) Rasnake of Belfast; grandchildren, Dean Farmer, Cindy Thomas, Mrs. Terry (Andrea) Henne, Mrs. Gary (Paula) Huffman, Mrs. Michael (Heidi) Lutz, Katina Lester, Mrs. Brian (Jessica) Hess, Bret Farmer and wife, Sarah, Farrah Rasnake, Blake Farmer, Lexis Rasnake; great-grandchildren, Jordan Huffman, Zachary Lutz, Truman Henne, Zane Lutz, Mason Huffman, Jaxon Hess and Zadyn Lutz; brothers, Brady Farmer of Rowe, Leonard Farmer of Honaker, Gaines Farmer of Jonesville, Raleigh Farmer of Taylor, MI, Ivel Farmer of Saint Lyon, MI, Everett Farmer of Pickney, MI; and sisters, Edna Owens of Bristol, VA, Lona Turner of Clark Summit, PA, Erma Rose of Hollins, OH, Nellie Hamilton of Reed City, MI, Margie Sanderson of Auburn, IN.
The funeral was conducted May 29 at 1 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honker with Rev. Troy Harris, Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Ellis Nuckles and Rev. Carl Burmeier officiating.
Interment followed in the Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Military graveside honors were conducted by the American Legion Post #164 of Grundy.
