U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Sidney Beck Jr.
The funeral for Sidney W. "Buddy" Beck Jr., 76, formerly of 316 Parkland Drive, will be conducted 11 a.m. today from Barker Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Frederick J. Vicks and the Rev. Eugene Talley. Interment will be in Highland Burial Park.
He died Monday, Sept. 23, 1996, in Camelot Nursing Home of Salem.
Born Feb. 14, 1920, in Danville, he was a son of Sidney W. Beck Sr. and Leafy Payne Beck.
He was married
to Mamie L. House Lodge Beck, who died Jan. 11, 1996.
He was a member of Third Avenue Christian Church, where he was a member of Chapel Bible Class, and formerly served in the choir.
He was employed by Martinsville Wrought Iron and Steel. Prior to his retirement in 1977, he became owner of Danville Wrought Iron and Steel. He also worked for Newport News Shipyard.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He is survived by a daughter, Beverly Beck of Richmond; and two sons, Roger Beck of Juno Beach, Fla., and David Lodge of Roanoke.
Herman Ferrell
FREDERICKSBURG - Herman Lee Ferrell, 93, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1996, in Mary Washington Hospital.
Born April 3, 1903, in Caswell County , N.C., he was a son of Samuel Ferrell and Lou Yeatts.
He was married
to Lucille Hawkins Ferrell, who survives.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Woolworth Department Store as a manager.
He was the oldest active member of Masonic Lodge No. 4 AF and AM in Fredericksburg. He was also a former member of the Washington, Ruritans and the Chester Lions Club in Chester, Pa., and an honorary member of Chancellor Ruritan Club.
He was also a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Caswell County.
He was predeceased by a brother, John Ferrell, and by a sister, Margaret F. Baysinger.
The funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday from Wilderness Baptist Church cemetery in Spotsylvania by the Rev. Amos Healy. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends 2:30-5:00 and 7-8:30 today at the residence.
Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory of Locust Grove is in charge of arrangements.
Hiram Johnson
William Hiram Johnson, 84, 164 North Ave., died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1996, in his residence, following two years of declining health.
Born July 22, 1912, in Rockingham County, N.C., he was a son of William Thomas Johnson and Gracie Sawyers Johnson.
He was married
to Catherine M. Johnson, who died Sept. 9, 1994.
He spent most of his life in Danville, where he was employed by Lorillard Tobacco Co. as a foreman prior to his retirement. He was also a member of Moffett Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, D. Michael Johnson of Danville and William H. Johnson Jr. of Chesapeake; a brother, Wilber Johnson of Reidsville, N.C.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home, North Main Chapel, is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.
Lillie 'Ba Bit' Johnson
Lillie Lee "Ba Bit" Johnson, 69, 219 Spruce St., died Monday, Sept. 23, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Sept. 21, 1927, in Halifax County, she was a daughter of Irene Lee.
On Dec. 31, 1949, she was married
to Bernard Johnson, who survives.
She was a member of Loyal Baptist Church, where she served in the Mary Dodson Missionary Circle. She was also a member of Fidelis Class and the Everready Club.
She was also leader of Daughters of Tabitha Tents Lodge No. 424. She was a member of Royal Degree Chamber No. 8 and the Daughters of I.B.P.O.E. of W. in Danville.
She was employed as a beautician.
In addition to her husband of Danville, survivors include a sister, Doris L. Alexander of New York City.
The funeral will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday from Loyal Baptist Church by the Rev. Lavelle Maxwell. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
The body may be viewed today until 8 p.m. at L.H. Brooks and Bros. Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the residence.
Frank Shelton Sr.
Frank Carter Shelton Sr., 89, formerly of 2526 N. Main St., died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Sept. 25, 1906, in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of Chess Shelton and Aurelia Jennings Shelton.
He was married
to Eva Simpson Shelton, who died in 1964. He later married
Lucy Younger Shelton, who died in 1993.
He had lived in Gretna for the past 25 years. Prior to moving to Gretna, he resided in the Ringgold community and was a member of Ringgold Baptist Church.
He was a member of Midway Baptist Church. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a farmer.
Survivors include a daughter, Aurelia S. Gibson of Radford; two sons, Bill Shelton of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Bob Shelton of Hurt; four step-sons, Swanson Younger, Bobby Younger, Billy Younger, and Donnie Younger; a half-brother, Ollie Shelton of Gretna; 10 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 11 step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his first and second wife, he was predeceased by two brothers, Frank C. Shelton and James C. "Wimp" Shelton.
The funeral will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday from Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel by the Rev. Joe Burton and the Rev. Carl E. Burger. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 tonight at the funeral home, and other times at the residence of Jim and Barbara Cole, 226 Meadowbrook Drive, Danville.
Willard Blanks
Willard Jennings Blanks, 71, 259 N. Woodberry Ave., died Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1996, in his residence. He had been in declining health for the past 10 years.
Born Dec. 16, 1924, in Danville, he was a son of George Blanks and Ella Wicker Blanks.
On Dec. 15, 1946, he was married
to Lillian Reynolds Blanks, who survives.
He spent most of his life in Danville, where he was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in the D.O.T. Lab until his retirement. He was a member of Woodberry Baptist Church.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marines.
In addition to his wife of the residence, he is survived by a son, Michael Willard Blanks of Williamsburg; and a sister, Margaret B. Schulze of Petersburg.
There will be no funeral because the body will be donated to the State of Virginia Anatomical Program.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
William Giles
William Wesley Giles, 83, 3130 Westover Drive, died Monday, Sept. 23, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born June 10, 1913, in Danville, he was a son of Hume Anderson Giles and Annie Harvie Giles.
He was married
to Judith Shell Giles, who died Aug. 23, 1991.
He spent his entire life in Danville and was a member of the Methodist faith.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe.
He was employed by Sears in the sporting goods department and later at J.C. Penney until his retirement.
He is survived by a son, George Wesley Giles of Virginia Beach; and two grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday from Mountain View cemetery by the Rev. Richard Cobb. The family will receive friends 10:15-11 a.m. at the cemetery.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bernice Harper
MOBILE, ALA. - Bernice Blackwell Harper, 82, died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1996, in Cogburn Nursing Center.
Born in Ruffin, N.C., she was a daughter of Mollie Siddle Blackwell and Bernard L. Blackwell.
She was predeceased by her husband, Colvin Harper.
She had lived in Mobile for the past 30 years.
She is survived by a nephew, John R. Blackwell of Midlothian, Va.; and three nieces, Dorothy Callahan of Reidsville, N.C., Jean Moran of Ruffin, N.C., and Barbara Shaeffer of Lawrenceville, Ga.
A graveside service was conducted Saturday, Sept. 14, 1996, at Pine Crest cemetery in Mobile.
Mel Hood
Harry Melton Hood, 80, of Stratford House, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born June 24, 1916, in Gadsden, Ala., he was a son of Robert Lee Hood and Eunice Daniels Hood.
He was married
to Marjorie Daubenspeck Hood, who survives.
He was the first manager of Goodyear in Danville. He had been a resident of Danville since 1996, when his family moved here from South America to oversee the building and start-up of Goodyear.
Prior to his move to Danville, he had completed 30 years of service with Goodyear, with 15 years of service in overseas management assignments for Goodyear International. He was involved in the construction and start-up of six new plants.
Following his retirement from Goodyear in 1977, after 41 years of service, he became a member of many organizations, including Rotary International and the Rotary Club in Topeka, Kan., Buenos Aires, Argenia, and Cali Colombia.
He was also a past member of the Danville German Club, the Danville Golf Club, and the Danville Kiwanis Club. In 1978, he was honored by Sertoma International as a recipient of its "Service of Mankind Award."
He also served in the Board of Directors for the Danville Regional Medical Cente from 1972 to 1989. He was also a member of the Executive Committee. He served on the Boards of the Virginia Manufacturer's Association and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
He was also a member of Pittsylvania Soil and Water Conservation District for 14 years. He served on the Board of Directors for Keep Virginia Beautiful Inc. for 10 years and on the board of Keep America Beautiful for two years.
He was a past member of the Board Directors for Danville Chamber of Commerce, the Roman Eagle Nursing Home, and Pittsylvania County United Way. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Averett College and the former Stratford College.
He was also a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board and the Finance Committee. He was also an usher for many years.
In addition to his wife of the residence, he is survived by a son, John B. Hood of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Carey Cooper of Gadsen, Ala.; and one grandchild.
The funeral will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday from Mount Vernon United Methodist Church by the Rev. John LeGault. The family will receive friends 7-9 tonight in the Evergreen Room at the Stratford House.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Stella Mason
BASSETT - Stella East Mason, 73, Route 3, died Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1996, in her residence.
She was born Nov. 19, 1922, in Ruffin, N.C.
She was married
to James "Edd" Mason, who survives.
In addition to her husband of the residence, survivors include two daughters, Marie Gauldin of Eden, N.C., and Betty Lipford of Ruffin, N.C.; two sons, Allen Mason and David Mason, both of Smith Mountain Lake; a foster son, Robert Lee Hutson of Ruffin, N.C.; a step-son, Steve Mason of Smith Mountain Lake; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Jack East and Herbert East.
The funeral will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday from First Presbyterian Church in Collinsville by the Rev. David Speering and the Rev. Charles Moore. Burial will be in Mountain View cemetery in Ridgeway.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday at Norris Funeral Services in Martinsville, and other times at the residence of Jack and Betty Lipford, 746 Dickerson Road, Ruffin, N.C., and at the residence.
