U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Alice Mae Thornhill
Alice Mae Gillespie Thornhill, 63, of Richlands, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, died July 14, 2005 at the home of her daughter in Richlands.
She was born in Tazewell County, and was a daughter of the late Garnett and Ocie Blankenship Jackson, both Tazewell County natives.
She was a lifelong resident of the Richlands area and was a former employee of V & V Restaurant, Little John’s, and Swan’s Cleaners. She attended the Ivy Springs Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James “Jim” Gillespie; two sisters, Louise Hale and Frances Bloodworth; and six brothers, Homer, Robert, Grover, Stonewall, Henry, and Harry Jackson.
Survivors: husband, Robert “Butch” Thornhill; daughters, Alicia Wilson and husband, Willie, of Richlands, Katherine Justus and husband, Sammy, of Pikeville, KY; son, James Gillespie and wife, Wanda, of Bishop; brothers, Bill Jackson of Jewell Ridge, Woodrow Jackson of Thomasville, NC; grandchildren, Timothy White, Rebecca Hamilton, Crystal White, Everett “Jack” White, and Angel Justus; and great grandchildren, Savannah, Branson, Lexus, Dakota, Jeremiah, and Lucas.
The funeral was conducted July 17 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Phillip Cook officiating.
Interment followed in the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
Deborah Elaine Ward
Deborah Elaine Ward, 49, of Abingdon, died July 10, 2005.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Millard Charles and Biddie Evelee Wilson Ward.
Survivors: daughter, Bonita Dusty Cole and husband, David Cole, Jr., of Red Ash; grandchildren, Samatha August Cole and David Tyler Cole; step brothers, James Copenhaver of Bristol, Gene Copenhaver of Indiana, Bobby Copenhaver and Ronnie Vandyke, both of Michigan; and step sisters, Guyna Day of Rock, WV, Wilma Hagerman of Bradshaw, WV, Sherry Johnson and Kim Kennedy, both of Compton Mountain.
The funeral was conducted July 15 at 1 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Jack Ward officiating.
Entombment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Jacqueline St. Clair Brown
Jacqueline St. Clair Brown, died June 28, 2005. She was born in Tazewell in 1919.
She was the beloved mother of Jacqueline Pilawski, Kenneth Brown, Jr. and Nancy Berg; and grandmother of Dawn and Chad Pilawski, Michelle and Sean Berg, and Candice Brown. Also survived by sister, Glenn St. Clair Miller of Geneva, IL.
A graveside was held at Arlington National cemetery July 14 at 2 pm, following an 11 a.m. visitation and service at Arlington Funeral Home in Arlington.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.
Lois D. Cook
Lois D. Cook, 67, of Rowe, died July 5, 2005 in a Bristol, TN hospital.
Born July 31, 1937 in Buchanan Co., she was a daughter of the late Tim and Rose Short Arwood.
A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of the Outreach Temple at Honaker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence Street; three sisters, Bea Miller, Hazel Street, and Edgar Patton; one infant brother, Carl Arwood; and one granddaughter, Belinda Davis.
Survivors: husband, Elden Cook; daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie and James Davis of Honaker, Brenda and Hurley Davis of Marvin; son and daughter-in-law, Rondal and Loretta Street of Rowe; step-daughters, Brenda Pauley and husband, Gary, and Rebecca Lester and husband, Jerry, all of Honaker; sister, Helen Martin of Drill; brothers, Rev. Arvil Arwood and Roy Arwood, both of Rowe, Lawrence Arwood of Honaker; grandchildren, Jeremy Davis, Brandi Davis, Reese Davis, and Chasity Street; great-grandson, Nicolas Blake Davis; step-grandchildren, Donovan Meadows and Vanessa Lester; and step-great-grandson, Dalton Lee Meadows.
The funeral was conducted July 8 at 2 p.m. in the Rowe Free Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Interment followed in the Street cemetery at Rowe.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Dr. Daniel DeFerie
Dr. Daniel Dwight DeFerie, 46, of the Lake James community, Nebo, died unexpectedly June 26, 2005 in Sanford.
He was born Feb. 19, 1959 in Philadelphia to Dr. David A. DeFerie and Emma B. DeFerie, who both preceded him in death.
He spent most of his youth in Harwich, MA, on Cape Cod. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Holy Cross University in Worchester, MA, where he was named the Fenwick Scholar for academic excellence. After graduating from Holy Cross, he graduated from Medical School at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, and completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
At the time of his death, he was self-employed as a contract anesthesiologist at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC. He was previously employed on staff at McDowell Hospital in Marion, NC, and at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Survivors: mother, Dorothy T. DeFerie of Sunset Beach, NC; wife, Elaine Hatcher DeFerie, of Nebo; brother, David A. DeFerie, Jr. and wife, Suzanne, of Asheville, NC; and sisters, Donna Anderson of Vernon, CT, and Stephanie DeFerie of Orleans, MA.
A funeral mass was held July 1 at 2 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville.
Interment was held at McDowell Memorial Park in Marion, NC.
Williams Funeral Home in Asheville was in charge of arrangements.
Perry L. Deskins
Perry Linward Deskins, 84, of Sevierville, TN, formerly of Raven, went home to be with the Lord July 10, 2005 at his home.
Born Aug. 12, 1920 in Tazewell Co., he was the son of the late Boyd Alexander and Barbara Byrd Deskins.
He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II. He was a retired coal miner for 43 years. He was a member of Gatlinburg Church of God.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Charlie, Avery, James and Ramey Quinton Deskins, and four sisters, Ruth Mitchell, Ethel Rakes, Pansy Day and Audrey Smith.
Survivors: sons, Ralph Wayne Deskins of Richlands, Lester Deskins and wife, Renda, of Sevierville, Harold Deskins and wife, Susie, of Raven; sisters, Phyllis Blount and husband, Frank, of Byron, GA, Connie Bandy and husband, Arnold, of St. Augustine, FL, Opal McKinney of Dallas, TX; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
The funeral will be conducted July 13 at 1 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Eddie Hess and Mr. Dink McGhee officiating.
Burial will follow in the Ball cemetery at Road Ridge.
Brenda Joyce Hess
Brenda Joyce Hess, 33, of Davenport, died July 5, 2005 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Sept. 27, 1971, she was a daughter of the late Jake and Christy Austin Hess.
She was a lifelong resident of the Buchanan County area.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald Austin and Eddie Austin.
Survivors: daughters, Shelly Amanda Hess and Kelly Nicole Hess, both of the home; sons, Charlie Lee Barton and Clarence Lee Barton, II, both of the home; special companion, Clarence Lee Barton; sisters, Tina Harris and Norma Jean Neely, both of Davenport; and one brother, Danny Wayne Austin of Council.
The funeral was conducted July 8 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Clyde Lambert officiating.
Interment followed in the Austin cemetery at Venia.
Virginia L. Horton
Virginia Lucile Salyer Horton, 81, of Richlands, went to her heavenly home July 5, 2005 at Clinch Valley Medical Center following a brief illness.
Born July 24, 1923 in Dante, she was a daughter of the late Kelly Schaffer and Essie Belle Salyer.
She was an avid genealogist of the Salyer and Horton families. She was a member of the Clearview United Methodist Church and a volunteer at The Good Samaritan Food Pantry.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, one month and six days, Perry Woodrow Horton on Sept. 30, 2002. Two brothers also preceded her in death.
She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed by those who love her.
Survivors: son, Ronald Lewis Horton and wife, Betty, of Cedar Bluff; daughters, Carol Elaine Horton Messick of Raven, Nancy Ann Horton Hess and husband, Doug, of Tazewell; sister, Mrs. Lorine Phillips (Eddie) of Kingsport, TN; brother, Dennis Salyer (Iva) of Kingsport; grandchildren, Lee Messick, Elaine Messick Byrd, Kelly Messick, Heather Messick Casey, Nikki Hess Grepiotis and Christy Horton; and great-grandchildren, Taylor Leigh Messick, Hunter James Grepiotis, Lauryn Brooke Casey, Amber Lea Johnson and Kelleigh Ann Messick.
The funeral was conducted July 8 at 2 p.m. in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Pastor Paul Griffith, the Rev. Carl Robinson and the Rev. Phillip Horton officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clearview United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 642, Doran, VA 24612.
Jerry Lee Jackson
Jerry Lee Jackson, 56, of Tazewell, died July 5, 2005 at a North Carolina hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born at Lebanon, he was a son of the late Robert Lee and Clarice Jones Jackson, both Cliffield natives.
He had made his home in Tazewell and was a self employed truck driver for Pounding Mill Quarry. He was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the U. S. Army.
Survivors: wife, Elsie “Rachel” Jackson; son, Jerry Lee Jackson, II of Tazewell; sister, Mary Alice Conley of Lincolnton, NC; and brother, Robert Larry Jackson and wife, Linnie, of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted July 8 at 11 a.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell with Rev. Kenneth Gillespie officiating.
Interment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Mark Trevor Lankford
Mark Trevor Lankford, 50, of Gastonia, NC, formerly of Raven, died July 10, 2005 in a Gastonia hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of Agnes Reedy Lankford of Raven and the late Bernard T. Lankford.
He had made his home in the Gastonia area for the past 19 years and was a disabled Volkswagen technician. He was a Richlands High School Class of 1972 graduate and attended Southwest Virginia Community College. He was of the Methodist faith.
Additional survivors: wife, Belinda Vandyke Lankford; daughters, Sarah DeRoberts and husband, Chris, and Amanda Roland and husband, Donnie, all of Mt. Holly; sister, Jane Jeffries of Bristol, TN; brother, Bernard Ala Lankford and wife, Judy, of Bristol, TN; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Favaron and Blanke Roland; nieces, Tara Smalling and husband, Aaron, and Carly Nelson; and nephews, Joseph Paul Walton, Christopher Walton, Bernard Trevor Lankford II, Jeremy Nelson and wife, Jessica, and Wesley Hess.
The funeral was conducted July 12 at 8 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Paul Griffith officiating.
Burial was private.
Rickey Nickels, Jr.
Rickey Lee Nickels, Jr., one month old, of Richlands, died July 5, 2005 at his home.
Born May 27, 2005 in Richlands, he was the son of Rick Lee and Regina Hicks Nickels of Richlands.
Additional survivors: sisters, Alissa Asbury, Kandace Kiaralake Asbury and Stephanie Nicole Nickels, all of Richlands; maternal grandparents, Clarence Jr. and Roberta Fields Hicks of Richlands; and paternal grandparents, Rickey Joe Sr. and Beth Keen Nickels of Richlands.
Graveside services were conducted July 8 at 11 a.m. at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Singleton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Sparrel “Toddy” Ratliff, Jr.
Sparrel “Toddy” Ratliff, Jr., entered into eternal life July 6, 2005 to join a heavenly celebration.
He was born Aug. 26, 1926 at Tookland to a stone mason and his wife, but served as carpenter most of his life. He was met, as he crossed the River of Jordan, by those who had gone before him. Along the shore were his parents, Sparrel and Mattie Ratliff; son, Christopher Todd Ratliff; brothers, Percy, Edd, Loren and Kermit Ratliff; and sisters, Nell Hutchinson and Winnie Keene.
He was blessed with a big heart and a super personality which he shared with many wonderful friends on life’s pathway.
He retired Dec. 11, 1986 from N&S Railroad after working 34 years and two months. He was in the first class to be promoted to Railroad Engineer when N&W switched from the Steam Locomotives to Diesel Locomotives. He served his nation in WWII in the Navy, serving on an Oil Tanker in the Palau Island and Okinawa.
He was Captain of the 1946 Grundy High School Football team where he played guard. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotives, IOOF, AMVETS Post #37 and the John S. Ratliff Chapter of the American Legion, Post #164.
He served as the Chaplain for the Grundy Volunteer Fire Department. He served many years as a Deacon of Ratliff Chapel Baptist Church at Tookland. He loved his church, enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing Rook and was proud to raise a magnificent garden each summer. He always had time to help his friends and neighbors.
Survivors: loving wife of 55 years, Freda Marlene Ratliff; sons, Donnie and wife, Vickie, of Big Stone Gap, Randy and wife, Joyce, of Claypool Hill; daughter-in-law, Tammy Ratliff of Little Prater. He also leaves behind his magnificent grandchildren, Jason Ratliff, Jared Ratliff, Nicholas Todd Ratliff, Mattie Ratliff, Courtney Ratliff, Shawn Jordan and a great-grandson, Isaac Harrison; two sisters, Dorothy Striege of Floyd’s Knob, IN, Faye Phillips of Lakeland, FL, acting as angels of mercy to him during his battle with cancer were a very special niece, Brenda Kilgore; special brother-in-law, Jack Rife; and sister-in-law, Leona Ratliff, as well as the wonderful staff of the Hospice and Palliative Care. Also surviving sisters-in-law, Delores Childress and Lottie Ratliff, both of Grundy; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted July 10 at 2 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rick Ellis, Pastor Rick Blevins, Evangelist Michael Trent, Rev. Ronnie Mutter and Pastor Jason Ratliff assisting.
A song service was held July 9 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Committal service and interment was held at the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands with full military rites.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ratliff Chapel Baptist Church, c/o Leona Ratliff, Rt. 4 Box 72, Grundy, VA 24614.
