U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Ethel Marie Stevenson
Ethel Marie Stevenson, 91, of Westwood Medical Park and formerly from Wrights Valley, Bluefield, VA, died May 3, 2006 at Westwood.
Born in Nebraska, she was a daughter of the late Francis Jerome Buchanan and Deemie Wallace Buchanan.
She was a member of the Wright’s Valley United Methodist Church and was a former interior decorator for Marie Lester in Bluefield.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther Stevenson; one sister, Julia E. Sexton; and six brothers, Samuel Defaw Buchanan, Marion Harrison Buchanan, James Allie Buchanan, Lawrence Neal Buchanan, Guy Wilson Buchanan and John Edward Buchanan.
Survivors: son, Carl W. Stevenson of Wrights Valley, Bluefield, VA, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 6 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Leon Yost officiating.
Burial followed in the Maple Hill cemetery.
Ethel "Tootsie" Thurston
Ethel M. "Tootsie" Hylton Thurston, 68, of Bluefield, VA, died May 4, 2006 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born in Pocahontas, she was a daughter of the late Harry Garfield Hylton and Cora Belle Sheppard Hylton.
She is of the protestant faith.
One of her greatest joys in life was working in her flower gardens.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Tabor and Madaline Jennings, and one brother, Donald Hylton.
Survivors: husband, James Robert (Bob) Thurston; daughter, Pamela Gaye Raines and husband, Robert L. Raines, Jr. of Lyman, SC; sisters, Hazel Richards and husband, Frank, of Hurricane, WV, Joyce Cole and husband, Bobby, of Pocahontas; brother, Bill Hylton and wife, Opal, of Pocahontas; and grandchildren, Joseph Robert Kelly of Bluefield, VA, and Jennifer Kelly of Lyman.
The funeral was conducted May 8 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Jerry Lester officiating.
Burial followed in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.
Willard Russell Whitt
Willard Russell Whitt, 76, of Swords Creek, beloved husband and Dad, died May 9, 2006 at an Abingdon hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Swords Creek, he was a son of the late Albert Jessee Whitt and Florence Una Whitt, both Swords Creek natives.
He was a retired miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was a lifelong resident of the Swords Creek area and a member of the Raven Assembly of God Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, Donald, and Dean Whitt.
Survivors: wife, Laura Lowe Whitt; son, Curtis Whitt and wife, Kathy, of Sevierville, TN; daughter, Freda Gay Hayes and husband, Paul Calvin, of Abingdon; brother, Thomas Whitt and wife, Carol, of Cadilac, MI; two grandchildren, Heather and Michael Stillwell of Swords Creek, Ashley and Wes Ayers of Sevierville; three great granddaughters; one great grandson; and special caregivers, Preferred Home Health and Diane Hale.
The funeral was conducted May 12 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Barry Absher and Rev. Dennis White officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Norman D. Worley
Norman Douglas Worley, 65, of Raven, died May 14, 2006 in a Bristol, TN, hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Leemaster, he was the son of the late Raleigh E. and Bonnie Gay Yates Worley, Sr.
He had made his home in the Raven area for the past 25 years and was a retired meter reader from American Electric Power. He was a graduate of Garden High School and was of the Baptist faith. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and an avid coin collector.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Stephen, Roger, and Joseph Worley.
Survivors: sisters, Margaret Mullins and husband, Joe, of Abingdon, Darla VanDyke and husband, Johnny, of Bristol, VA; brother, Raleigh E. Worley, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Pounding Mill; special friend, Brenda Rose of Bluff City, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Evangelist Lois Null officiating.
Interment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 Richlands conducted military graveside rites.
Robert (Bob) E. Yates
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Robert (Bob) E. Yates, U.S. Army, Retired, 66, died May 4, 2006 at his home in Columbia, SC.
Born April 16, 1940 in Horsepen, he was the son of the late Robert T. Yates and the late America Shrader Yates.
He was President of his Senior Class at Tazewell High School, attended Concord College, and had a career in the Army as a helicopter pilot. Major assignments included Vietnam, S. Korea, the 1st Gulf War, and Germany. At the time of his retirement, he was the only Maintenance Test Flight Examiner in Europe for the Army’s UH-60A aircraft. As a civilian, he was a helicopter training instructor at Fort Rucker, AL. Individual awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Awards, 2 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Service Ribbon. Unit awards included the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Bill O’Neil of Nocona, TX; son and daughter-in-law, US Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Eric and Mia Yates, currently serving in Ramstein, Germany; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bertha and Travis Pritchett of Charleston, SC, Helen and Gregg Eckelbecker of Portland, TX; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Julia Yates of Charleston, SC; sister, JoAnn Woodall of Bluff City, TN; aunt, Pearl Munsey of Bluefield, VA; nine nieces and nephews, including John Pritchett of Charleston, SC and Meri Pritchett of Los Angeles, CA; two great nieces; and many special friends.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 12 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell.
Burial will take place at Arlington National cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends contributions to First Christian Church, Columbia, SC, where Bob was a member.
Helen LoEdith Dye Alicie
Helen LoEdith Dye Alicie, 80, of Tazewell, died Apr. 24, 2006 at Westwood Health Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Bluefield, VA, following a long illness.
Born at Russell County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Robert and Cordellia Vance Dye.
She had made her home in Tazewell and was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was of the Freewill Baptist faith.
She was the last member of her immediate family. She was the widow of Charlie Bryce Alicie. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, David Crockett Murphy and grandson, Brian C. Hildebrand.
Survivors: daughters, Deborah Murphy of Tazewell, Addavene Alicie of the home; grandchildren, Pamela Clark and Jeff of Telford, TN, Tina Farmer and Daniel Keith of Pounding Mill, Amy Renee Lambert and William of Tazewell; great grandchildren, Haley and Morgan Farmer, Taylor Renee Lambert and Jacob Clark; and step-great grandchildren, Kelsie and Jenna Clark, and Kathryn and Brittany Lambert.
The funeral was conducted Apr. 28 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Walter Virgil Musick officiating.
Interment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Myrtle "Dorothy" Blankenship
Myrtle "Dorothy" Blankenship, 76, of Raven, went to be with the Lord Apr. 29, 2006, following a lengthy illness.
She was the daughter of the late Arch and Bonnie Pink Rasnake Blankenship, both Tazewell county natives.
She was well known for her cooking and was a cook for the Hilltop Restaurant for many years. She always had a smile, and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was of the Holiness faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Lee Blankenship; one brother, Ellis Johnson; and two sisters, Cutie Coxton and Shirley Keen.
Survivors: daughters, Barbara Dennis and husband, Allen, of Kingsport, TN, Diane Hess and husband, Kenneth, and Connie Dye, all of Doran; sons, Sidney Sparks and wife, Carlena, and Dennis Sparks and wife, Eva, all of Raven, Benny Sparks and wife, Diedra, of Road Ridge; step-daughter, Michelle Stillwood of Florida; step-son, Stevie Blankenship and wife, Cindy, of Texas; sister, Edith Osborne of Richlands; brothers, Stevie Horton of Kentucky, Howard Johnson of Florida; special friend, Sylvia Osborne; 11 grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; 12 grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted May 2 at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Paul Vandyke and Rev. Rick Whitt officiating.
Internment followed at the Greenhills Memory Gardens located at Claypool Hill.
Reba Dean Blevins
Reba Dean Atkins Blevins, 66, of Raven, went to be with the Lord Apr. 24, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center.
Born Feb. 24, 1940 in Ash Camp, KY, she was the daughter of Nellie Dehart Atkins of Tazewell and the late Virgil Atkins.
She lived 40 years in Jewell Valley and the last 26 years in Raven. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Atkins.
Additional survivors: husband of 49 years, Joe Paul Blevins; very special son, Billy Ray Blevins Atkins of the home; daughters, Paula Bragg of Jewell Ridge, Vickie Taylor and Pat Hughes, both of Johnson City, TN; grandchildren, Becky Sommers, Micki Johnson, Jimmy Sommers, Russell Hughes and a very special grandson, Billy Joe Atkins; great grandchildren, Autumn Sommers, Tiffany Gillis, Clint and Brianna Johnson; brothers, Donnie Atkins of Rural Retreat, Virgil Atkins, Jr. of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, Howard Dempsey Atkins of Daytona Beach, FL; and special friends, Frances Rose and Keshia Keen.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Apr. 27 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Hess Price officiating.
Entombment followed in the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery Mausoleum in Richlands.
Bernard Marion Bratton
Bernard Marion Bratton, 81, of Abingdon, formerly of Bluefield, VA, died Apr. 26 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
Born Oct. 18, 1923 at Bluefield, VA, he was a son of the late Rexford Houston Bratton and Naomi Austin Bratton.
Survivors: sisters, Ruth Bratton of Bluefield, VA, Nannie Becker of New York, Betty Lee Adams of Cleveland, OH, Normanda Thompson of California; brothers, Ivon Bratton and Austin Bratton, both of Detroit, MI, John Bratton and Keith Bratton, both of New York; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Apr. 28 at Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell with the Rev. Michael Bratton officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of the arrangements.
Grady Franklin
"Frank" Colley
Grady Franklin "Frank" Colley, 69, of Council, died Apr. 24, 2006 at his home following a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
Born May 3, 1936 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Ayers and Sally Johnson Colley.
He had spent his early life in the area, moving to Indiana, and moving back here 35 years ago. He was a 1956 graduate of Council High School. He was a retired section foreman with Pittston Coal Company. He was a loving husband and father.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Arson Colley, Edward Colley, Ferrell Colley and Clifford Colley; one sister, Nellie Colley Rife; his father-in-law, Jency Dye; three sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
Survivors: wife of 48 years, Betty Dye Colley; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Adrin McGlothlin of Council, Sherry and Rick Presley of Davenport; sons, Randall Colley and Timmy Colley, both of Council; grandchildren, Douglas McGlothlin of Council, Shandi Presley of Davenport; brother, Ayers Colley and wife, Sue, of Richlands; sisters, Mary Taylor of Georgia, Emma Gaye Johnson and husband, Andrew, of Raven; his mother-in-law, Clara Dye of Raven; special niece, Rita Mallott of Indiana; and several nieces and nephews whom were special to him.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Apr. 28 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Kyle Ratliff and Rev. Carl Burmeier officiating.
Interment followed in the Colley cemetery at Murphy.
Michael Owen Cruey
Michael Owen Cruey, 53, of Bardstown, KY, formerly of Tazewell, died Apr. 27, 2006 at his residence.
Born May 26, 1952 in Tazewell, he was the son of Owen Albert Cruey and Lucy Phillips Cruey of Tazewell.
He was a graduate of Tazewell High School and had been previously employed by Consolidation Coal Company for 25 years. He had served as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Town of Tazewell Fire Department for many years. He was of the Methodist faith.
Additional survivors: wife of 33 years, Rose Hamilton Cruey; daughter, Sarah Hill and husband, Keith, of Bardstown; son, Paul Cruey of Bardstown; grandchildren, Morgan and Jaiden, both of Bardstown; sister, Mary Ruth Laxton and husband, Larry, of Tazewell; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 10 a.m. May 1 at Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home in Bardstown.
Burial followed at St. Joseph cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. May 3 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Tazewell.
The family requests expressions of sympathy be made to the American Heart Association C/O Marie Alicie, P.O. 909 Tazewell, VA 24651.
Information submitted by Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell.
