U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Eula Maud Brown Sparks
Eula Maud Brown Sparks, 95, of the Baptist Valley section of North Tazewell, died July 12, 2006 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born at Baptist Valley, she was the daughter of the late Mame and Sally Mae Harrison Brown.
She had made her home in Baptist Valley all her life. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She was a member of the Dailey’s Chapel Methodist Church in Baptist Valley.
She was the last member of her immediate family. She was the widow of Albert Edwards Sparks, Sr. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Sally Mae Graham; two sons, Jack Witten Sparks and John L. Sparks; one granddaughter, Tina Sparks; and one son-in-law, Harold Fuller.
Survivors: daughter, Dot Fuller and husband, Harold, of Lexington; sons, Albert E. Sparks, Jr. and wife, Doris, of Columbus, OH, Robert G. Sparks and wife, Betty, of Baptist Valley, Shelby B. Sparks and wife, Jennie, of Hilliard, OH; 16 grandchildren; 19 great- grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and special friends that cared for her during her illness.
The funeral was conducted July 15 at 11 a.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Kenneth Gillespie officiating.
Interment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dailey’s Chapel Methodist Church, 6073 Baptist Valley Rd., North Tazewell, VA 24630.
Arlen "Slim" Blankenship
Arlen Richard "Slim" Blankenship, 76, of New Garden Road, Honaker, died July 7, 2006 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Nov. 28, 1929 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Minnie Hess Blankenship.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was of the Christian faith. He was formerly employed as a coal miner and a member of the UMWA of Jewell Valley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Danny Michael Blankenship; and one brother, Howard Blankenship. In his generation he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors: wife of 52 years, Shirley Stiltner Blankenship; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Rita Fay Keen Blankenship of Rowe; daughters, Patty Dial of Gloucester, Rita Musick and Tina Blackburn and husband, Anthony, all of Honaker; grandsons, Tracy, Danny, Jonathan, Joshua, Bradley and William; granddaughters, Heather, Megan and Jodi; great-grandchildren, Keesha and Justin; step-grandson, Seth; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. July 10 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Arvil Arwood, Rev. Leonard Meadows and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Interment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Noami Elizabeth Clifton
Noami Elizabeth Clifton, 80, of Clifton Fork, died July 2, 2006.
Born Jan. 30, 1926 in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Allie Osborne Burke.
She lived her whole life in the Clifton Fork Section of Buchanan County. She was a member of the Living Word Outreach Church at Pilgrim Knob. She devoted her whole life to her children and family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Raymond Clifton; one grandson, Johnny Mac Rogers; four brothers, Albert Burke, Lewis Burke, Lee Burke and Jessee Burke; and four sisters, Susie Terry, Gurtie Boyd, Eula Burke and Trula Burke.
Survivors: daughters, Shirley Sue Hylton and husband, Billy, of Raven, Darline Mabe and husband, Jim, of Bristol, VA, Linda Ann Ward and husband, Jerry, of Swords Creek; daughter-in-law, Linda Clifton of Clifton Fork; sons, David Clifton and wife, Donna, and Cloyd Clifton and wife, Trudy, all of Richlands, Andy Clifton and wife, Cathy, of Swords Creek, Rick Clifton and wife, Lorie, of Pounding Mill, Joe Clifton and fiancée, Jennifer Haas, of Charlottesville; brother, Thurman Burke of Raven; sister, Madiline Thompson and husband, Virgil, of Greencastle, IN; 21 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; and one great great grandson; special friends, Mary Jane Keen and Berlin Viers; nephew, Tommy Brown; several nieces and nephews; and little friend, Roxanne.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. July 6 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Pastor James Ray and Rev. Walter Wilson officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
A service was held July 5 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
David Wayne Cox
David Wayne Cox, 52, of the White Mountain section of Pea Patch, died suddenly July 9, 2006 on White Mountain near Jewell Ridge.
Born in Toledo, OH, he was the son of the late George Dalton Cox and Cammy Mae Godbey Cox Muniz.
He was a retired carpenter and former employee of FEMA. He had lived in the Pea Patch area for 13 years and was of the Apostolic Faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Nicole Ranae Roberts, and his step father who helped raise him, Raymond Muniz.
Survivors: loving wife, Sheliah Cole Cox; daughter, Carrie Collins and husband, Rodney, of Cedar Bluff; sons, Brian Cox and Peter Cox, both of Dunkirk, NY, Jonathan Roberts and wife, Sharon, of Richlands, Jeremy Roberts of White Mountain section of Pea Patch; sisters, Lisa Britt of Ferdona, NY, Carol Payne of Silver Creek, NY, Rosie Muniz of High Point, NC; brothers, Bill Cox and wife, Diane, of Dover, PA, Raymond Muniz of York, PA, Daina Muniz of High Point; grandchildren, Nathaniel, Cole and Briana Roberts along with two additional grandchildren; special friends, Fred and Thedosia Mullins; and father and mother-in-law, Lee and Helen Cole of White Mountain section of Pea Patch.
The funeral will be conducted July 13 at 1 p.m. at the Shiloh Community Church located at Pea Patch with the Rev. Roger Woods, Rev. McGinnis Rife, Rev. Billy Ward and Rev. Jimmie Cole officiating.
Interment will follow at the Cole Family cemetery on White Mountain.
Friends may call after 6 p.m. July 11 and 12 at the church.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements.
Robert W. Fitzer
Robert William Fitzer, 87, of the McGuire Valley section of Baptist Valley, died July 8, 2006 in a Montvale nursing home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Portsmouth, OH, he was the son of the late Leroy and Vivian Bricker Fitzer, both Portsmouth, OH, natives.
He had made his home in the Baptist Valley area most of his life and was a retired school teacher from the Tazewell County School System having taught for over 30 years. He taught at Richlands High School and was a former principal at Baptist Valley Elementary School. He was a graduate of Furman University and served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eugenia Hall Fitzer and three infant siblings.
Survivors: daughter, Margaret Riggs and husband, Ralph, of Salem; son, Roy Neal Fitzer of Virginia Beach; grandchildren, Robert Neal Gregory and friend, LeeAnn, of Troutville, Vivien McMahan and husband, Tim, of New Castle; and great grandchildren, Leah McMahan, Nicholas McMahan, and Annabelle Gregory.
The funeral was conducted July 11 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands.
Interment followed at Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
Jonathan C. German
Jonathan Charles German, 85, of Arnold, MD, died July 10, 2006 at his home.
He was born in Baltimore, MD, Sept. 2, 1920.
Born and raised in Baltimore, he was a son of Bertram Boone, Sr. and Helen Grace German.
He served in WWII, 28th Marines, 5th Division in Siapan and was a survivor of Iwo Jima. He witnessed the raising of the flag at Mt. Suribachi and was awarded the Purple Heart. He worked as a Liaison of BG&E. He was a member of the College Parkway Baptist Church in Arnold and a member of DAV, American Legion, and VFW. He enjoyed sports and gardening. He was a direct descendant of Thomas and Elizabeth (Linstead) Boone of Severna Park, MD.
He was preceded in death by one half-brother, Bertram Lee Boone, II, former secretary of State of Maryland.
Survivors: wife of 52 years, Pauline E. German, formerly of Richlands; daughters, Kaye German of Glen Burnie, MD, Jacqueline Kramer of Baltimore; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
The funeral will be conducted July 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Barranco and Sons Funeral Home in Severna Park, MD.
Interment will be in Maryland Veterans cemetery in Crownsville.
Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com.
Amanda Jean Hamilton
Amanda Jean Hamilton, 24, of Richlands, died July 7, 2006 in a Roanoke hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Abingdon, she was the daughter of Vonley and Jean Taylor Pruitt of Doran.
She was a lifelong resident of the area and was an occupational therapist for the Wythe County School System. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class of Highlight Academy of Education Class of 1999 and received her Associate Degree in Health Science from SVCC. She was a member of the Bethany Baptist Church of Honaker and was very active in the Relay for Life Team for her church.
Additional survivors: husband, Justin Chris Hamilton; sister, Heather Reedy and husband, Aaron, of Raven; brother, Stephen Pruitt of Richlands; father and mother-in-law, Chris and Cindy Hamilton of Lebanon; special niece, Madison Reedy; maternal grandmother, Nell Taylor of Raven; sister-in-law, Trista Willis and husband, Brandon, of Lebanon; and brother-in-law, Derrick Hamilton of Lebanon.
The funeral was conducted July 10 at 2 p.m. at the Raven Assembly of God Church in Raven with the Rev. Joe Copolo and Rev. Vonley Pruitt officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Relay for Life Team, Bethany Baptist Church, c/o Suzette Mutter, P.O. Box 314C, Honaker, VA 24260.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.
Carl Cummings Meade
Carl Cummings Meade, 86, of Gratton, died July 7, 2006 at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell.
Born Dec. 30, 1919 in Russell County, he was son of the late William Davis Meade and Virginia Julia Copper Meade.
He was a United States Army veteran.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Johnson, and four brothers, Earl Meade, Sam Meade, Fleix Meade, and Charles William Meade.
Survivors: sisters, Ethel Dotson of Bland, Betty Conley of Rocky Gap, Louise Parks and husband, Roy, and Mansie Hester, all of Marion, Bernice Duncan of Alexandria, Marjorie Pinter of Cedar Bluff, Ilene Sizemore of Gratton; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. July 10 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Kenny Fields officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell.
Elbert Doak Mitchell
Elbert Doak Mitchell, 86, of Jewell Ridge, went to be with his Heavenly Father July 3, 2006 in Richlands.
He was the son of the late James and Ethel Vandyke Mitchell, both Tazewell County natives.
He was a retired coal miner and was the Fire Warden for Tazewell County for 20 years. He had a zeal for life and he delighted in being outside tending his garden, hunting or just being in the woods. He was of the Holiness faith and was a lifetime resident of Tazewell County.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers.
Survivors: loving wife, Josie Lee Meadows Mitchell; daughters, Daisy Meadows and husband, Sheilds, and Dolly Meadows and husband, Ernest, all of Jewell Ridge, Barbara Elswick and husband, Donnie, of Bandy; sons, Avery Mitchell and wife, Anna, and David Mitchell, all of Jewell Ridge; sisters, Oma Musick, and Gaynelle Nelson, both of Richlands, Hazel Mitchell of Jewell Ridge; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
The funeral was held July 6 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating.
Interment followed at the Mitchell Family cemetery at Stinson Ridge near Jewell Ridge.
Stephen Victor Parks
Stephen Victor Parks, 50, of Mount Vernon and formerly from Pageton, died June 30, 2006 at his home.
Born in Welch, he was a son of the late William Harvey Parks and Edith Victoria Comer Parks.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, William Parks and Timothy Parks.
Survivors: sisters, Bonnie Hale of Bluefield, WV, Phyllis Sporring and husband, Jim, of Woodbridge, Margaret Harris of Mullins, WV; brothers, Donald Parks and wife, Wanda, of Kimball, WV, Rev. Larry Parks of Lashmeet, WV, Blane Parks and wife, Charmayne of Woodbridge, Michael Parks of Fairfax, Sterling Parks and wife, Jasimine, of Newport News, Joseph Parks and wife, Vonda, of Bastian; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The funeral was conducted July 7 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA with the Rev. H.G. Leach officiating.
Burial followed in the Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery in Bluewell.
Billy Gene Asbury
Billy Gene Asbury, 76, of Statesville, NC, formerly of Tazewell, died June 1, 2006 in a Chapel Hill, NC, hospital.
Born at Tazewell, he was the son of the late Jessie O’Brian Asbury and Annie Louise Asbury.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Nola Deskins Asbury; one son Charles David Asbury; two sisters Betty Rogers and Pauline Asbury; and one brother Freddie Asbury.
Survivors: daughter, Teresa Asbury Webb of Brenton, WV; sons, Randall Gene Asbury, James Anthony Asbury and Terry Wayne Asbury, all of Lexington, NC; sisters, Rosie Baily of Bluewell, WV, Pearlie Stanford of Bluefield, VA, Peggy Asbury of Tazewell, Shirley Marsh of Lexington, NC; brothers, Danny Asbury and Walter Asbury, both of Tazewell; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. June 4 in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff.
Burial followed in the Harrison Family cemetery at Baptist Valley.
