U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
George W. Lawrence
George W. Lawrence, 67, of Kegley Manor, Bastian, formerly from Falls Mills and Pocahontas, died July 13, 2005 in Bastian.
Born in North Tazewell, he was a son of the late James W. Lawrence, Sr. and Bertha Ward Buckland Lawrence.
He worked for Rental Uniform Co. and later became a Highway Patrolman in North Carolina before moving back to the Bluefield area. He was a member of the Falls Mills Christian Church and a former member of the Bluefield Moose Lodge.
Survivors: son, James Daniel Lawrence and wife, Paula, of Gastonia, NC; daughter, Susan King and husband, Robert, of Gastonia; brother, James W. Lawrence, Jr. and wife, Nelle, of Falls Mills; and grandchildren, Holly Lawrence and Heather Hasmeyer of Charlotte, NC, Aerik Lawrence, Elizabeth King and Benjamin King, all of Gastonia.
The funeral was conducted July 16 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA with Minister Tom Reid officiating.
Burial followed in the Harry cemetery in Falls Mills.
Gerald Mark Lester
Gerald Mark Lester, 45, of Rosedale, went home to be with God, July 13, 2005 in a Richlands hospital.
Born Mar. 13, 1960 in Grundy, he was a son of Helen S. Lester of Grundy and the late William McKinley Lester, Jr. who passed away in 1993.
He spent his early life in the Grundy area, had lived in Cedar Bluff, and moved to the Rosedale area in 1991. He was a 1978 graduate of Grundy High School, attended Southwest Virginia Community College, and graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Mining and Electrical Engineering. He was currently employed as a Project Engineer with Consol Energy. He was a member of the Swords Creek Community Baptist Church.
Additional survivors: wife of 20 years, Glenda Murray Lester; daughter, Molly Danielle Lester of the home; son, Zachary Mark Lester of the home; sister, Dr. Pamela Gwathmey and husband, Dr. William B. Gwathmey, of Walkerton; brother, Dr. William McKinley Lester, III and wife, Dr. Susan S. Lester, of Waxhaw, NC; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Glenn and Joyce Murray of Danville; and six nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted July 15 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Juanita Ollie Looney
Juanita Ollie Smith Looney, 81, of Lebanon, formerly of Greenfield, OH, died July 17, 2005 at a Richlands hospital.
Born in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late Wallace Matthew and Millie Irene Smith.
She was a member of the Lebanon Presbyterian Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer G. Looney; one daughter, Gail Looney; one brother, Perry Smith; four sisters, June Ratliff, Thelma Smith, Willie Smith and Marry Jeanette Altizer; two half brothers, Raymond Smith and Farley Smith; and step mother, Bendy Smith.
Survivors: sons, Donal R. Looney and wife, Brenda, of South Salem, OH, David Looney and wife, Mary, of Greenfield, Stuart Looney and wife, Peg, of Washington Court House, OH, William J. Looney of South Salem; daughter, Glenna Wilder and husband, David, of Bangor, ME; step children, Jeanette Lomberdi and husband, Bob, of Canton, OH, Ilene Rowe and husband, Bob, of Lewisburg, WV, Bobby Looney and wife, Peggy, of Greensboro, NC; sisters, Ada Pinion of Raven, Ella Cornett of Roanoke, Lois Hoggard of Lenior, NC; half-sisters, Molly Williams of Pennsylvania, Peggy Johnson and Bonnie Proffitt, both of Raven; half-brothers, Tom Smith and Wallace Matthew Smith, Jr., both of Raven, Crobie Smith of Whitewood; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted July 20 at 11 a.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Eddie Nash and Rev. Guy Hunt officiating.
Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Otis Matney
Otis Matney, 68, of Fredericksburg, formerly of Buchanan County, died July 11, 2005 in a Fredericksburg hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Alexander and Nearvie Compton Matney, both Buchanan County natives.
He was a Retired Carpenter and had made his home in Fredericksburg for the last 15 years. He was a member of the Hale Creek Holiness Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Marie Keen and Hazel Matney, and four brothers, Lindburg, Jimmy, Elmer, and Theodore (Speck) Matney.
Survivors: wife, Rachael June Matney; daughters, Rebecca Bartley and husband, Sam, of Grundy, Krystal Houk and husband, Shawn, of Spotsylvania; son, Gregory Matney of Stafford; brothers, Arlin Dennis Matney and wife, Goldie, of Claypool Hill, Basil Matney and wife, Marie, of Cedar Bluff; sisters-in-law, Margaret Matney and Rose Matney Cantrell; grandchildren, Brooke Matney, Keegan Bartley and Ethan Houk; and step-grandson, Austin Houk.
The funeral was conducted July 15 at the Loggy Bottom Church at Pilgrims Knob with Brother Lawrence Horn, Charlie Cooper and Kemper Cooper officiating.
Interment followed in the Matney Family cemetery at Hale Creek near Pilgrims Knob.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of the arrangements.
Martha E. Meadows
Martha E. Meadows, 77, of Reynolds Ridge Road, Bandy, died July 11, 2005 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late Ira and Rose Young Strouth, both Tazewell County natives.
She had lived 59 years of her life on Reynolds Ridge.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Lee Harlan, Raymond and William Perry Strouth.
Survivors: husband, James W. Meadows; son, Bobby Meadows and wife, Ellen P., of Bandy, sisters, Eliza Edith Dailey and husband, Oscar, of Bandy, Goldie Webb and husband, Donald, of Jewell Ridge; brother, James Strouth and wife, Ruth, of Richlands; grandchildren, Tonia Mitchell and husband, Kenny, Bobby Joe Meadows and wife, Kimberly, and Christopher Dwayne Meadows; great-grandchildren, Courtney Amber Meadows, Kaleigh Jade Meadows and Morgan Daniella Mitchell.
The funeral was conducted July 14 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Rick Pruitt officiating.
Interment followed in the Meadows Family cemetery on Reynolds Ridge near Bandy.
Alan Myers
Michael Alan Myers, 28, of North Tazewell, died July 13, 2005 at his home.
Born Oct. 26, 1976 in Tazewell, he was a son of Mack and Mary Rhudy Myers of North Tazewell.
He was an avid North Carolina Tar Heel fan and loved to fish and hunt.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Walter and Ruth Rhudy, and paternal grandparents, Lee and Lula Myers.
He was a loving father and will be greatly missed.
Additional survivors: wife, Christina Howery Myers; son and daughter, Alan Cade Myers and Jayden Brianna Myers, both of the home; brother, Walter Mack Myers and wife, Liz, of North Tazewell; sister, Lisa Myers McGehee and husband, Donald, of Richmond; nephew, Walter Cross Myers of North Tazewell; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Jeanie Howery of Tazewell.
Funeral services were private. Burial was at Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home, of Tazewell, was in charge of arrangements.
Roby Radford Owens
Roby Radford Owens, 77, of Honaker, died July 18, 2005 at his home following a brief illness.
Born Oct. 30, 1928 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Bryant and Flora Boyd Owens.
He had lived in the Honaker area for the past 21 years, moving from Buchanan County. He was a disabled coal miner having been employed by United Coal Company. He was of the Old Regular Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, James E. Owens and Carmel Owens and two infant brothers, and one sister, Thelma Stiltner.
Survivors: wife of 54 years, Josephine (Hogston) Owens; sons, Donnie Owens and wife, Betsy, of Honaker, Carl Owens and wife, Betty, and Calvin Owens, all of Whitewood, David Owens and wife, Cheryl, of Elk Garden, Jeff Owens and wife, Emma of Haysi; daughters, Pam Lowe and husband, Thomas, of Wardell, Inga Smith and husband, Sonny, of Saltville, Anna Dixon and husband, Terry, of Green Cove Springs, FL; sisters, Hazel Ratliff of Grundy, Othie Rife of Bradshaw, WV; brothers, Leon Owens and Burbage Owens, both of White Stone; 16 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted July 20 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Ronnie Hensley and Elder Roscoe Crouse officiating.
Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Ty Douglas Roberts
Ty Douglas Roberts, infant son of Joshua and Brenda Duncan Roberts, of Tazewell, died July 9, 2005 in a Princeton hospital.
Additional survivors: brothers, Chase M. Roberts of the home, Andrew T. Roberts of Norwalk, OH; paternal grandparents, Robin and Marcia Roberts of Bishop; maternal grandparents, Richard and Bernice Duncan of Bluefield, VA; great-grandparents, Jess and Eva Crouse of Dix Creek; aunt and uncle, David and Mandy Repass of Bluefield, VA; aunt, Linda Duncan of Tazewell; and a special cousin, Corey Goins.
Graveside services were conducted July 14 at the Grandview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Jess Crouse officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Princeton Community Hospital Hospitality House, Attn. PCH Foundation, Box 1369, Princeton, WV 24740.
Mercer Funeral Home and Crematory in Bluefield, WV, was in charge of arrangements.
Lola Mae Combs Shell
Lola Mae Combs Shell, 87, of Honaker, died July 17, 2005 in a Honaker nursing facility.
Born May 29, 1918 in Wilder, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Stafford Combs, Jr. and Iva Jackson Combs.
A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Honaker, where she had served as the former church clerk. She was a former employee of the parts department at Modern Chevrolet in Honaker for over 42 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Shell; one son, Bernard Wayne Shell; six sisters, Edith Sampson, Pauline Mitchell, Kathleen Wilson, Dolly Combs, Annis Combs, and Fayrene Combs; three brothers, Henry Curtis Combs, Billy Samuel Stafford Combs, Jr., and Bobby Combs; and three grandchildren, Darlene Romans, Diane Romans, and Patricia Shell.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Nadrene and Paul Hurd of Lebanon; son and daughter-in-law, Harold Gene and Francine Shell of Colorado; brothers, James E. Combs of Kingsport, TN, Dewey C. Combs of Honaker; grandchildren, Belinda Ann Barrett, Dennis G. Shell, and Sandra G. Seifert; great-grandchildren, Robby Barrett, Sarah Barrett, Victoria Gates, Christopher Seifert, Joshua Seifert, and Samuel Seifert; great-great-grandson, Caleb Gates; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted July 20 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Interment will follow in Russell Memorial cemetery at Lebanon.
Joe Raymond Stanley
Joe Raymond Stanley, 75, of Pilgrim Knob, died July 11, 2005 in a Johnson City, TN, hospital following a brief illness.
Born Sept. 2, 1929 he was the son of the late Obie and Evelyn Martin Stanley.
He was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a retired railroad conductor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gay Nell Wood Stanley on Aug. 16, 1982; and one brother, Ralph Stanley.
Survivors: daughters, Rita Sharon Edwards and husband, Eugene, of Abingdon, Evelyn Benice Rife and husband, Robert, of Pilgrim Knob, Sonja Jane Sawyer and husband, Danny, of Leesburg; sisters, Edith Gilmore of Cleveland, OH, Gene Brown of Crystal River, FL; brother, Doy Stanley of Oakwood; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted July 14 at 8 p.m. at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel in Keen Mountain with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Graveside services were conducted July 15 at 11 a.m. at the Wood-Rose cemetery at Haysi.
Military graveside rites were conducted by Dickenson County VFW 8971, DAV Post 35 and American Legion 227.
Samuel (Sam) Thompson
Samuel Preston (Sam) Thompson, 89, of the Home Creek Section of Rt. #1, Grundy, died July 12, 2005 in Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, TN from a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Lydia McClanahan Thompson.
He was a life-long resident of Buchanan County, a member of New Zion Freewill Baptist Church, a retired Coal Miner and a member of United Mine Workers of America. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Edith Belcher Thompson – Nov. 27, 2002; two daughters, Wanda Faye McCoy, March 10, 1981, Dorothy McClanahan, Jan. 31, 2005; three sisters; and three brothers.
Survivors: daughters, Brenda and husband, Marsh Lee, Betty and husband, Larry Clevinger, and Jo Ann and husband, J. R. Duty, all of Rt. 1, Grundy, Lydia and husband, Jodi Morris, of Oakwood, Peggy and husband, Richard McClanahan, of Hurley, Patricia and husband, Tim Blue, of Florence, SC; sons, James Thompson and Jerry and wife, Peggy Thompson, all of Florence, Bailey and wife, Phyllis Thompson, of Kemper, KY, Charles and wife, Clara Thompson, of Big Rock, Harold Thompson, Pal and wife, Pam Thompson, and Danny Ray and wife, Donna Thompson, all of Rt. 1, Grundy, Roger Thompson of Johnson City, TN; 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren
The funeral was conducted July 15 at 1 p.m. at New Zion Freewill Baptist Church, Big Rock, with Minister Jimmy Kerr officiating.
Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
Services were held July 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. at the church.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of the arrangements.
