U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Benjamin Howard
The funeral for Benjamin Franklin Howard, 65, 156 Sherwood Drive, will be conducted 11 a.m. today from Christ the King Lutheran Church by the Rev. Jim Kleinfelter, the Rev. Thomas Motley and the Rev. Joe Beck. Interment will be in Highland Burial Park.
He died Monday, Sept. 16, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center, following 16 years of declining health.
Born July 16, 1931, in Danville, he was a son of Henry F. Howard and Ollie Mae Harrill Howard.
On Jan. 5, 1968, he was married
to Flossie Lowe Howard, who survives.
He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the International Lutheran Laymens League, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and a member of the NAACP.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Dan River Mills as a machinist.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home, North Main Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jesse Mawyer Jr.
CHESTERFIELD - Jesse O. Mawyer Jr., 69, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996.
He was married
to Margaret Johnson Mawyer, who survives.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Diane M. Terrell and Brenda M. Cramer; a son, Thomas M. Mawyer; and four grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted 10 a.m. Friday from Morrissett Funeral Home in Richmond. Interment will be 3 p.m. Friday at Highland Burial Park in Danville.
The family will receive friends 6-9 tonight at the funeral home.
David Pugh
David Clyne Pugh, 82, 419 Airport Drive, died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born March 11, 1914, in Danville, he was a son of Arch Simmons Pugh and Marsella Huff Pugh.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Hazel Gaynell Brown Pugh, who died Dec. 8, 1992. He was later married
to Edna Ivadell Clark Pugh, who survives.
He spent most of his life in Danville, where he formerly owned and operated A.S. Pugh Roofing Co. He also attended Riveroak Church of God.
In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include a daughter, Rebecca Pugh Browder of Danville; three step-daughters, Delores C. Jayne and Sue C. Quinn, both of Danville, and Betty C. Gravely of Ringgold; a step-son, Buddy Clark of Rockwell, N.C.; two brothers, Fred Pugh and Allen Pugh, both of Danville; four sisters, Virginia Yeatts, Bobbie East and Frances Cooper, all of Danville, and Alma Nance of Nashville, Tenn.; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.
The funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday from Riveroak Church of God by the Rev. Tim Nuckles and the Rev. Robert Hackworth. Interment will be in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Friday at the church, and other times at the residence of his daughter, Rebecca Pugh Browder, 730 Holland Road.
Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Claude 'Hoody' Reece
ROANOKE - Claude "Hoody" Reece, 78, 4645 Elna Road N.W., died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1996, in the Veterans Administration Hospital of Salem. He had been in declining health since 1989.
Born Dec. 10, 1917, in Danville, he was a son of William Reece and Annie Hodge Reece.
He was married
to Leona Akers Reece, who survives.
He spent most of his life in Alexandria and Danville, but had lived in Roanoke for the past two years. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a carpenter. He was also a member of Afton Road Primitive Baptist Church. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy.
In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include a son, Patrick Reece of Mine Run; three daugthers, Loretta Phillips of Kwajalain, Marshall Islands, Randy Reese of Alexandria, and Jennifer Sheldon of Hawaii; three step-sons, Stephen Akers of Roanoke, and Bobby Akers and David Akers, both of Danville; a sister, Marie DeMott of Danville; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted 4 p.m. Friday from Swicegood Funeral Home Chapel by Elder Danny Parker. Burial will be in Schoolfield cemetery.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 tonight at the funeral home, and other times at the residence of Hermis and Marie McGee, 141 Laramie Circle.
William 'Joe' Snead
William O. "Joe" Snead, 73, 1404 West Main St., died Monday, Sept. 16, 1996, in his residence.
Born Nov. 12, 1922, in Danville, he was a son of Eustice Sidney "Buck" Snead and Elizabeth Drumwright Snead.
He spent most of his life in Baltimore, but had lived in Danville for the past four years. He was retired from the restaurant business.
He is survived by six nieces and two nephews.
The body will be cremated.
Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home, North Main Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Berger
DRY FORK - Ruth McKenzie Berger, 43, of Route 2, died Friday, Sept. 13, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Oct. 29, 1952, in Pittsylvania County, she was the daughter of Howard McKenzie and Maggie Walton McKenzie.
She worked at Pittsylvania County Community Action Head Start, and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Berger; two daughters, LaRhonda Michelle Berger of Danville and Rosalind Elaine Berger of Chatham; one son, Kevin Marshe Berger of Chatham; one sister, Della Fuller of Chatham; two brothers, Jerry Lewis McKenzie and Randolph McKenzie both of Chatham; and her step-mother, Edith McKenzie of Chatham.
She was preceded in death by a brother, James Howard McKenzie Jr.
The funeral will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday at Tarpley Chapel Baptist Church by the Rev. Robert Devins Jr. Burial will be in the Union Hall Baptist Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of her sister, Della Fuller, at 5740 Strawberry Road, Chatham.
Miller Funeral Home, Gretna, is in charge of arrangements.
Julie N. O'Steen Jones
Julie N. O'Steen Jones, 23, of 732 Vicar Road, died Saturday, Sept. 14, 1996, in Halifax Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Her daughter, Miranda Blaire Jones, 22 months, was also killed.
Born Oct. 23, 1972, in Jacksonville, Fla., she was the daughter of Lamar O'Steen and Mary Bass Cook, who both survive.
She had lived in Danville for four years and previously lived in Halifax County. She was a graduate of Halifax County High School and Danville Community College. She was currently a student at Danville Regional Medical Center's School of Nursing.
She also worked at the Subway sandwich shop in South Boston.
She was of the Baptist faith.
On Feb. 17, 1993, she was married
to Michael D. Jones, who survives.
In addition to her husband, of the home, and her father, of Jacksonville, Fla., and her mother of Halifax County; survivors include one brother, Lamar O'Steen Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.
The funeral arrangements are incomplete at Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
Miranda Jones
Miranda Blaire Jones, 22 months, of 732 Vicar Road, died Saturday, Sept. 14, 1996, in Halifax Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Born Oct. 25, 1994, in Danville, she was the daughter of Michael D. Jones, who survives, and Julie O'Steen Jones, who was killed in the same accident.
Survivors, in addition to her father of the home, include her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cook of Halifax County, and Mr. and Mrs. Lamar O'Steen of Jacksonville, Fla; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Leon Jones Jr. of Danville; and paternal great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Travis of Danville
The funeral arrangements are incomplete at Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel.
The fmaily will receive friends at the residence.
John 'Dick' Lewis
GRETNA - John "Dick" Lewis, 64, of Colonial Ridge Apts., died Friday night, Sept. 13, 1996, in Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born April 20, 1932, in Pittsylvania County, he was the son of Eddie Lewis and Lillie Kelly Lewis.
He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where he served on the board of deacons.
Survivors include one daughter, Gloria Jean Burk of Roxboro, N.C.; one brother, Richard Lewis of Philadelphia; six sisters, Ellen Callands of Gretna; Frances Wagstaff of Leesburg, N.C., Pearl Green and Lillian Green both of Norwalk, Conn.; Nannie Hughes of Washington, D.C., and Gracie Thompson of Stamford, Conn.; an adopted sister, Gertrude Benefield of Washington, D.C.; a fiance, Patsy Word of Long Island; and two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Eddie Lewis Jr., Irvin Lewis and James Arthur Lewis; and one sister, Geneva Crews.
The funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Nathaniel Jones. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, and other times will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Callands, Route 1, Gretna.
Archie Mae Ryan
The funeral for Archie Mae Bryant Ryan, 91, formerly of 303 Girard St., will be conducted 2 p.m. today at Keen Street Baptist Church by the Rev. Michael Campbell.
She died Saturday, Sept. 14, 1996, at Riverside Health Care Center, where she had been in declining health for four months.
Born April 25, 1905, in Webster County, Ga., she was the daughter of Archie Bryant and Orilla Slocumb Bryant.
She was a member of Keen Street Baptist Church where she was active in the Women's Missionary Union, the Young at Heart Club, and the Willing Workers Sunday School class.
She lived in Columbus, Ga., before moving to Danville in 1924.
She was retired from Dan River Inc., where she worked in the sewing room for more than 40 years.
She was married
to John C. Ryan Sr. on Dec. 26, 1924. He died June 11, 1983.
Survivors include two sons, John C. Ryan Jr. and Melvin W. Ryan, both of Danville; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A private committal service will be conducted at Danville Memorial Gardens.
The family will be at the residence of her son, John C. Ryan Jr., 210 Meadowbrook Drive.
Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Blair Archer
WYTHEVILLE - Edward Blair Archer, 84, of Wytheville, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996, in Birdmont Health Care Center.
He was formerly employed as a Virginia State Policeman in Pittsylvania County. He was also an automobile salesman.
He was married
to Mildred L. Archer, who survives.
In addition to his wife of Chatham, survivors include two sons, Ed Archer of Advance, N.C., and Jerry Lee Archer of Round Hill; a sister, Lucille Roseman of Maulden, S.C.; a half-sister, Georgia Huffard of Roanoke; a brother, Peyton Archer of Wytheville; and three grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday from St. John's Lutheran cemetery by the Rev. Robert Smith. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville.
