U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Jimmy Lee Steele
Jimmy Lee Steele, 70, of Honaker, died May 22, 2006 at his home.
Born June 18, 1935 in Russell County, he was a son of the late Lacy and Bessie Fuller Steele.
He was a lifelong resident of the Honaker area. He was formerly employed by Gent’s Hardware Store, as an orderly at Mattie Williams Hospital, owned a gas station in Honaker, and most recently as a funeral assistant at Honaker Funeral Home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Stump Steele; his beloved step-mother; Margie Steele; and one brother, Jackie Steele.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Saundra and Larry Wayne Honaker of Swords Creek; sisters, Judy Alexander of Rowe, Shirley Boyd of Kingsport, TN; brothers, Lacy Steele, Jr. and Billy Steele, both of Honaker; granddaughter, Jessica Fedelina and husband, Gianluca, of Charleston, SC; grandson, Jared Honaker and wife, Bethany, of Grundy; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 24 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Jared Honaker and Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Interment followed in the Clark cemetery at Honaker.
George Carl Vandyke
George Carl Vandyke, 93, of Vansant, died May 26, 2006 at his home following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Arthur and Polly Ann Sisk Vandyke.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Dry Fork Primitive Baptist Church for more than 38 years. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Supervisor of Personnel and Living Quarters. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator and Foreman for Jewell Smokeless Inc. where he retired with more than 20 years of service. He was an avid professional bowler and gardener and loved his church. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virgie Mae Deel Vandyke, June 2, 1973, and is survived by his second wife, Crissie Mullins Hess Vandyke.
In addition, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Cox, Martha Street, Pauline Copenhaver and Ruth Viers; one brother, Linkous Vandyke; and one son-in-law, Larry Mullins.
Additional survivors: daughters, Carol and husband, David J. Keen, of Bluefield, VA, Janice Mullins Bartley of Vansant; sons, Jimmy and wife, Betty Jane Vandyke, of Beavercreek, OH, Sonny and wife, Geneva Vandyke, Rowe; sisters, Belle Anderson of Vansant, Cindy Axton of Freemont, OH; brothers, Clarence Vandyke, Estel Vandyke, and Junior and wife, Martha Vandyke, all of Vansant; grandchildren, Scott and wife, Karen Vandyke, Timothy Deskins, Steve and wife, Karen Vandyke, Angela and husband, Brian Krimmer, Rena and husband, Tim McGlothlin, Kim and husband, David Ratliff, Nichole and husband, Josh Snead; and nine great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted May 29 at 2 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Scott Vandyke and Evg. William L. Neeley officiating.
Burial followed at the Dry Fork cemetery on Dry Fork, near Vansant.
A song service was held at the funeral home May 27 at 7 p.m. and a service was held May 28 at 7:30 p.m. by Elders: Estil Hackney, Brian Moore and others.
Full military rites were conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
Arthur Prentiss Vanover
Arthur Prentiss Vanover, 83, of the Little Prater Section of Rt. #4, Grundy, died May 28, 2006 at his home following an extended illness.
Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of the late George and Lilly Mae Vanover.
He was a resident of Buchanan County most of his life and a member of Little Prater Church of Christ where he had served as an Elder. He served in the United States Navy four years during World War II, was a life-time member of the John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion, where he had served as Post Commander and had participated in more than 200 military funerals.
He was very active with the Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 746. His hobbies were woodworking, his flower garden, fishing, hunting and stone masonry. He was a retired mechanic and electrician from Jewell Coal and Coke Company.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Opal Pass Vanover – Mar. 10, 2003; brothers, John T., Grover C. Vanover and two infant brothers; and step-mother, Edna Stiltner Vanover.
Survivors: daughters, Patricia Ann and husband, Darrell Deel, of Grundy, Tammie Elswick of Salisbury, NC; son, Terry Lee Vanover of Tazewell; sister, Kate Pass of Goodlettsville, TN; brothers, Harold Vanover of Tuscon, AZ, Jack D. Vanover of Fairview, TN; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted May 30 at 11 a.m. at the Little Prater Church of Christ with Evgs. Michael Trent, Troy Brown, and Gerald Vanover officiating.
Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
Services were held at the church May 29 at 7 p.m.
Full military rites were conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.
Jonah Franklin Willis Jr.
Jonah Franklin Willis Jr., 80, of Berea, KY, died May 25, 2006 at the home of his daughter in Berea.
He was born in Page, KY to the late Jonah Franklin and Betty James Willis.
He was a former coal miner, a US Army veteran and a member of the Crestview Holy Sanctuary.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virtha Mae Dodd Willis; one child, Alice Faye Willis; one grandchild, Brian Willis; two sisters, Opal McKeen and Christine Buck; and two brothers, Harold and Stewart Willis.
Survivors: children, Phyllis Ann Ford and Wayne Harold Willis, both of Berea, Donnie Franklin Willis of McKee, Tony Dewayne Willis of Richmond; brothers, Paul Willis of Page, Hardrick Willis of Cincinnati, OH, Burley Willis of Bishop; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 30 at Crestview Holy Sanctuary with Rev. Harold W. Eads officiating.
Burial followed in the Berea cemetery.
Lakes Funeral Home in Berea, KY, was in charge.
Ethel Virginia Barrett
Ethel Virginia Shrader Barrett, 89, of Yards, departed her earthly home May 10, 2006.
Born June 21, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Dillon Shrader and Larissa Riley Shrader of Mud Ford.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Emmett Barrett, who died in 1971; one great granddaughter, Michalya Baugh; one step-grandson, P.J. Tackett; four brothers, Grat, George, Elmore and Claude Shrader; and four sisters, Myrtle Myers, Pearl Sheppard, Martha Adkins and Shirley Swim. She was the last surviving member of this family.
She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who leaves wonderful memories of family dinners, where every Sun. became a holiday.
She was a member of Midway United Methodist Church, Yards. She was a homemaker and a former employee of Nemours Nursing Home. She will be missed by many, but never forgotten. She was a caring and giving neighbor and friend to many, preparing meals for shut-ins, making sure the birds always had food and always thinking of other before herself. Heaven surely has a special place reserved for her.
Left to cherish her memory are five children and their spouses: sons, Harold Barrett and wife, Gayle, of Falls Mills, Harry D. "Buck" Barrett and wife, Wanda, of Pocahontas; daughters, Lucille Mitchell and husband, Roy, of Bluewell, WV, Carolyn Truman and husband, Michael, of Falls Mills, Connie Howell of Green Valley, WV.
To grandchildren Jack Mitchell, Kathy Miller and Melissa Shupe she was Granny, to Edd Barrett and Jason Barrett she was Grandma, to Eric Baugh she was Mamaw and to Rick Jackson and Brad Truman she was Nana. Her eight great grandchildren are Jacob and Jimi Miller, Josh and John Mitchell, Junior and Brandon Shupe, Eric Baugh and Gabi and Gage Jackson. She has two great great granddaughters, Megan and Skylar Mitchell. She is also survived by a special sister-in-law, Elizabeth Cumby of Bluefield, WV; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 13 at Dudley Funeral Home, Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Raymond Klaiber, Rev. Ted Anders and Rev. Johnny Elmore officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Midway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 56, Falls Mills, VA 24613.
Mildred Williams Bostic
Mildred Williams Bostic, 79, of Abbs Valley, died May 10, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born March 14, 1927 in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late John H. Williams and Lillie Cornwell Williams.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George C. Bostic; one son, Robert Bostic; one sister, Cara Bostic; and two brothers, Arthur Williams and Aaron Williams.
Survivors: her children, Bruce Bostic and wife, JoAnn, of Nemores, WV, Pamela Thompson and husband, Michael, of Delaware; sisters, Fannie Thompson and Lola McDermitt and husband, Jim, all of Abbs Valley, Gladys Funk and husband, Gerald, of Townsend, DE; brothers, Roy Williams and wife, Adena, Wiley Williams and wife, Dottie, and Freeman Williams and wife, Maxie, all of Abbs Valley; seven grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. May 13 at Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell with the Rev. Paul Baker officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Marlene Boyd
Mary Marlene Boyd, 65, of the Hidden Valley section of Richlands, died May 11, 2006 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Donald E. and Mary Kay Lester Stilwell.
She was a loving mother and grandmother and was a volunteer at the Community Action Center for Senior Citizens. She was of the Holiness faith and her favorite hobby was working crossword puzzles.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Boyd, and one brother, Billy Joe Stilwell.
Survivors: daughter, Jeanette Cantrell and husband, Mike, of Pounding Mill; sons, Craig Boyd and wife, Loretta, of Doran, Eddie D. Boyd and wife, Tonya, of Richlands; sister, Ramona K. Mays of Tazewell; brothers, Allen Stilwell and wife, Louise, of Raven, Donald E. Stilwell, Jr. and wife, Peg, of Delaware; seven grandchildren; one great grandchild; and special friends, Linda Pendergrass and Nancy Monk.
The funeral was conducted May 13 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Johnnie Kibbey officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Sarah Jo Brown
Sarah Jo Brown, 54, of Tazewell, died May 13, 2006 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Born June 9, 1951 in Tazewell, she was a daughter of Joann Lambert Kinder of Tazewell and the late Glen E. Kinder.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Brown, and one brother, Keith Kinder.
Additional survivors: sons, David Brown of Philadelphia, PA, Chad M. Brown and wife, Michelle, of North Tazewell; sisters, Deborah Rudd of Castlewood, Susan Jones and husband, Larry, of Draper; grandchildren, Natasha Brown and John Brown; two nephews; one niece; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and special caregivers, Lucille Gibson, Mary Ann Matney of Tazewell Community Hospital, Tazewell Community Hospital Home Health, and Dr. Stephen Rinehart.
A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. May 17 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Guy Altizer officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the memorial service May 17.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Marie Alicie, PO Box 909, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Ershel "Pops" T. Dye
Ershel "Pops" Truedell Dye, 84, of Lynchburg, died May 9, 2006 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born Feb. 28, 1922 in Russell County, he was the son of the late Ira Dye and the late Gracie Mae Vance Dye.
He was a member of Eastbrook Baptist Church and served his country during WWII on D-Day with the US Army.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, William E. Dye in 2005; one great granddaughter, Mary Katlen Dye; and one brother, Ira Dye, Jr.
Survivors: wife of 60 years, Anna Louise Patrick Dye; five children, Vickie D. Moore and husband, Wayne, of Lynchburg, Ricky C. Dye and fiancée, Shelby, of Lynchburg, Nicky Dye and wife, Donna, of Madison Heights, Debra D. Seufert and husband, Dusty, of Rustburg, Sandra D. Carter and close friend, William, of Lynchburg; daughter-in-law, Marie Dye of Forest; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; three great, great grandchildren; brother, Harold Dye of Richlands; sisters, Edith Trublood of Coinjock, NC, Betty Monroe of Augusta, GA; and a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Rev. Charlie and Helen Spencer.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m., May 11 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel by the Rev. Charlie Spencer.
Interment, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 16, followed in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
Whitten Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Timberlake Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
Lorene Faye Eakin
Lorene Faye Eakin, 54, of 8 Cashmill Place, died May 8, 2006 at her home.
Born Aug. 23, 1951 in Russell County, she was a daughter of Tolbert Harris of Honaker and the late Alice Belcher Harris.
She was a member of the Concord Brethren Church in Fairfield and Vesuvius Community Association.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, June Harris, and two brothers, Cecil Glen Harris and Roy Roger Harris.
Additional survivors: husband, Bob Eakin of the home; brothers, James C. Harris and wife, Barbara, of Wetumpka, AL, Darrell Harris and wife, Faye, of Honaker, John W. Harris and wife, Wanda, of Newport News; sisters, Anna Pearl Ball and husband, Eb, of Brooklet, GA, Carroll Musick and husband, Joe, of Charles City, Patricia Helton and husband, Danny, of Williamsburg; five step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 12 at Honaker Funeral Home with Rev. Giles Wilson officiating.
Interment followed in the Harris Family cemetery.
