U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Ralph Aaron Reedy
Ralph Aaron Reedy, 44, of Jewell Ridge, died July 5, 2005 at a Lebanon hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, he was a son of Lester Floyd Reedy of Jewell Ridge and the late Hattie S. Waldron Reedy.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Wayne Reedy.
Additional survivors: daughter, Jessie Andy Reedy of Kennasaw, GA; special aunt and uncle, Alice and Wanda Reedy; and special niece, Fern Reedy.
The funeral was conducted July 7 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Walter Jessee officiating.
Interment followed in the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
Arty C. Somoskey
Arty Crockett Somoskey, 92, went home on June 19, 2005 while living in Humble, TX.
She was born April 14, 1913 in Bearwallow, a section of Jewell Ridge.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy; one son, Elmer (Bud) Somoskey; two grandsons, Wayne and Sean Somoskey; one brother, John Crockett; and two sisters, Frances Brown and Gerti Mae Crockett.
Survivors: daughters, Geneva (Bobbie) McCormic of Gainesville, FL, Mary Alice Tadlock of Kenner, LA; sons, Earl Somoskey and wife, Barbara, of Kent, OH, Emory (Fuji) Somoskey and wife, Rebecca, and Delmar Somoskey and wife, Joyce, all of Bearwallow, Frank Somoskey and wife, Denny, of New Braunfels, TX; sisters, Goldie VanDyke of North Tazewell, Jettie Ward of Ocean Springs, MO, Agnes Barrett of Annandale; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was conducted at the Crockett cemetery, Rt. 637, Red Oak Ridge Road, Bearwallow Section of Jewell Ridge, July 9 starting at 1 p.m. Rev. Delmar Somoskey officiated.
Mary Martha Sparks
Mary Martha Gibson Sparks, 61, of Bandy, went to be with the Lord July 4, 2005 following a brief battle with cancer.
She was born May 19, 1944 in the Thompson Valley section of Tazewell County to Ellis Franklin Gibson and Nannie Fox Gibson.
In 1961, she graduated from Tazewell High School. She continued her education to include her LPN in 1963 and her RN in 1979 from Southwest Virginia Community College. She retired in 1996 from Clinch Valley Medical Center after 33 years of service filling various positions including staff nurse for multiple departments, nursing supervisor and nurse manager.
She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, mommaw and most importantly a devoted child of God. She was an active member of the Bandy Freewill Baptist Church, where she was also treasurer of the church’s Willing Workers. Those fortunate enough to know her will always remember her as a kind, unselfish, generous, intelligent, loving woman. She will forever be missed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, George Gibson.
Survivors: husband of 39 years, Charles D. Sparks; daughters, Melinda Beavers and fiancé, Keith St. John, of Bandy, LaReda Compton and husband, Todd, of Richlands, Martha Strouth and husband, Brad, of Hampstead, NC; sisters, Joanna Brown and husband, Bill, of Swords Creek, Jane Conn of Tazewell, Juanita Helias of Mt. Morris, MI, Betty Smith of Richmond; brothers, Kenneth Gibson and Bill Gibson, both of Roanoke, Paul Gibson and wife, Jeanette, and Shad Gibson and wife, Delores, all of Charlotte, NC, Phillip Gibson and wife, Debbie, of Ocala, FL; cherished grandchildren, Kelle Beavers, Brent Beavers, Jacob Compton and Raegan Strouth; mother-in-law, Nell K. Sparks of Corunna, MI; several nieces and nephews; and special friends whom she dearly loved, Francis Deskins, Lillian Kinder, Deanis Altizer and Bob Owens.
The funeral was conducted July 7 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Sam Altizer and the Rev. Marvin Nipper officiating.
Interment followed in the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bandy Freewill Baptist Church or to the Willing Workers at the Church in Bandy.
Willard R. Taylor
Willard R. Taylor, 66, of the Abbs Valley area of Bluefield, VA, died July 6, 2005 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, WV.
Born Dec. 29, 1938 in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late Carl and Florence Hypes Taylor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Dillon Taylor; two sisters, June Taylor and Jean Marie Hayes; and one brother, Ronald Taylor.
Survivors: son, Lee Taylor of Abbs Valley; sisters, Sherry Cruise of Hilliard, FL, Gladys Myers and husband, Eugene, of Statesville, NC, Faye Dillon and husband, Bobby, of Abbs Valley, Bernice Asbury and husband, Hubert, of Winston-Salem, NC; brothers, Roy R. Taylor and wife, Patsy, of Winston-Salem, Carl Taylor, Jr. and wife, Ann, of Statesville; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted July 9 at 11 a.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Pastor Charlie Marrs officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Martha Jane Adair
Martha Jane Vanture Adair departed this life from her home July 2, 2005.
Born Dec. 26, 1937, she was the daughter of Minnie Lee Howell Vanture and Victor Charles Vanture.
She graduated from Suffolk High School in 1956 and from the Medical College of Virginia, School of Nursing with a Bachelor’s Degree in July 1960.
In July, 1959, she married
Captain Joe Milton Adair of Raven, who was a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. They moved to Richlands in September 1960, where she resided the rest of her life.
She was a member of the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church joining in 1960 and was active in the United Methodist Church on the local, district and conference levels. She assumed various leadership roles in the life of the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church and in the last several years of her life, served as church organist and adult Sunday School teacher. She was a charter member of the Richlands Citizens for the Arts, Inc. and an avid supporter of the Southwest Virginia Community College Festival of the Arts. She received the Citizenship Award in recognition of human service given by the Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce in 1992.
Survivors: husband of 46 years, Dr. Joe M. Adair; daughters, Elizabeth Adair Townsend and husband, The Reverend Bowman Townsend, of Austin, TX, and Anne Adair Smith and husband, Jeffrey Craig Smith, of Charlottesville; sister, Carolyn Vanture Culpepper and husband, Benjamin Sullie Culpepper, of Salisbury, MD; grandchildren, Jane Adair and Charles Bowman Townsend of Austin, James Evan, Joseph Avery, and John Graham Smith of Charlottesville; niece, Carol Jane Mays; and nephews, Benjamin Sullie Culpepper, Jr., Victor Charles Culpepper, and Franklin Lee Culpepper.
A service of celebration will be held at the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church, Old Kentucky Turnpike, July 7 at 7 p.m. The family will receive friends at this time.
In lieu of flowers, if you so desire, you may contribute to the Southwest Virginia Community College Scholarship Program in Nursing at Box SVCC, Richlands, VA 24641.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home, Richlands, and Singleton Funeral Service, Cedar Bluff, are in charge of arrangements.
Stella M. Alley
Stella M. Alley, 90, of Claypool Hill, formerly of Tazewell, died July 2, 2005 at the home of her daughter.
Born Dec. 13, 1914 in Russell County, she was the daughter of the late Stafford D. Musick and Laura Skeens Musick.
She was a member of the Fincastle Baptist Church at Tazewell.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Alley; three brothers, Earnest Musick, Ellis B. Musick and Curtis Alden Musick; and two sisters, Hazel Cowan and Darlene Cox.
Survivors: daughter, Mrs. Rufus (Jackie) Fox of Claypool Hill; grandchildren, Vickie Long and husband, Michael, of Chesapeake, Deborah Miller and husband, Robert, of Stanley, NC, Aaron K. Fox and wife, Carrie, of Cedar Bluff; great grandsons, Adam Hill and Jonathan Hill and wife, Jenny, all of Chesapeake; sister-in-law, Virginia B. Musick of Kingsport, TN; a special friend and helper, Patricia Adams of Baptist Valley; a special friend, Ruth Reed of Tazewell; five nephews; and three nieces.
The funeral was conducted July 5 at 2 p.m. in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Rick Herald and Rev. Ethel Watson officiating.
Entombment followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Henry Robert Asbury
Henry Robert Asbury, 88, of Bandy, died June 30, 2005 at his home.
Born Aug. 11, 1916 in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late Thomas and Josie Crockett Asbury.
He was a member of the Harmony Freewill Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD, and attended the Grassy Spur Church of Christ in Bishop. He retired from the Essaky Meat Packing Plant in Baltimore, MD.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Pearl Neely Asbury; one infant daughter, Joyce Asbury; one son, Dewey Carroll Asbury; one sister; and two brothers.
Survivors: wife, Thelma Marie Asbury; daughters, Geneva June McKenzie of Frostburg, MD, Susie Holbrook of Bandy, Gracie Whitson of Opa Locka, FL; sister, Ida Davis of Westminster, MD; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted July 3 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Curtis Shrader officiating.
Burial followed at the Grassy Spur cemetery in Bishop.
Rodney “Chip” Blevins
Rodney “Chip” Blevins, 58, of the Adria section of North Tazewell, died July 1, 2005 at his home.
Born at Richlands, he was the son of the late Rev. R. Keither Blevins and Pauline “Peachy” Lockhart Blevins.
He had made his home in Tazewell the biggest part of his life. He was a graduate of Tazewell High School and was a lineman with Verizon for over 27 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Tazewell #62 and the Tazewell County Sportsman Club. He was of the Protestant faith.
Survivors: wife: Dale Brown Blevins; son, Brian Edward Blevins of North Tazewell; daughter, Crystal Bowman and husband, Stephen, of Thompson Valley; sisters, Marietta Helmandollar and Debbie Blevins, both of Tazewell, Marcella Jessup and husband, Roger, of Claudville; brothers, Reggie Blevins and wife, Margaret, of Stuart, Mike Blevins and wife, Rhonda, of Mt. Airy, NC; mother-in-law, Louise Brown of Tazewell; sister-in-law, Margaret Johnston and husband, Andrew, of Fredericksburg; brothers-in-law, Tom Brown and wife, Sue, Roger Brown and wife, Judy, and Larry Brown and wife, Debbie, all of Tazewell; and grandchildren, Alisha Blevins, Eli Blevins and Paige Bowman.
The funeral was conducted July 5 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Rodney Lawson officiating.
Interment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
Henry Byrd
Henry Byrd, 60, of Riverside, OH, formerly of Tazewell County, died June 18, 2005.
He was a veteran of the US Army. He was currently working for Franklin Iron and Metal for over 35 years. He loved his cars and being with his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Newton and Mary E. Byrd.
Survivors: children, Lori (Jay) Jackson, Stephen Byrd, Teri (Terry) Mayberry; brother, Newton Byrd, Jr. of Florida; and grandchildren, Amy, Chelsea, Kaitlyn, Haylee, Hannah, Austin, Toby, Dylan; and many friends.
The funeral was held June 23 at 1 p.m. at Magetti Gavin Funeral Home.
Interment followed in Valleyview cemetery.
Pearl Marie Elswick
Pearl Marie Elswick, 71, of Raven, died June 2, 2005 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Smyth County, she was the daughter of the late Aaron R. and Gracie Cordle Ellison.
She had made her home in the Raven area all of her life and was a retired Bookkeeper for Tazewell Furniture Company in Tazewell and Richlands. She was a member of the New Hope Assembly of God at Claypool Hill.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, Winton and Georgia Chapman, and one half-brother, Harold Taylor.
Survivors: husband, Eugene C. Elswick; daughter, Patti Elswick of Raven; son, Rick Elswick of Front Royal; sisters, Mrs. Harvey “Millie” Pulliam of Kernersville, NC, Mrs. David “Sula” Walls of Richmond; brother, John Ellison and wife, Mavis, of Vermillion, OH; half-brother, Clyde Taylor of Utica, OH; and grandchild, Seth Elswick.
Graveside services were conducted July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery Mausoleum in Richlands with the Rev. Claudie Throgmartin officiating.
Interment followed.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.
Jackie Wayne Harris
Jackie Wayne Harris, 27, of Honaker, died July 2, 2005 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born Sept. 1, 1977 in Richlands, he was a son of Jack Harris and Judy Harris, both of Honaker.
A lifelong resident of the Honaker area, he was a 1995 graduate of Honaker High School and was of the Holiness faith.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Eula Harris, and his paternal grandparents, Donald and Elizabeth Reedy.
Additional survivors: wife, Suzetta Harris; daughter, Elizabeth Hope Harris of the home; expected son, Jackie Wayne Harris, Jr.; sister, Heather Harris of Richlands; brother, Herbert Harris of Honaker; and his paternal grandfather, Herbert Harris.
The funeral will be conducted July 6 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Michael Justice officiating.
Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home at anytime prior to the funeral hour.
