U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Frances Mathews
Frances Mae Blackwell Mathews, 229 Wooding Avenue, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born July 9, 1922, in Altavista, she was a daughter of Auther E. Blackwell and Catherine Jordon Blackwell.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Dan River Inc. She was also a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include three sisters, Louise Walker and Helen George, both of Danville, and Sarah Baker of Lynchburg.
She was predeceased by her husband, Malin Obie Mathews, who died Oct. 9, 1971; and by a brother, Paul Wiseman Blackwell.
A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday from Mountain View cemetery by the Rev. Paul Dana Blackwell. The family will receive friends at the residence of a sister, Louise Walker, 530 Kemper Road.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Loraine Osborne
SOUTH BOSTON - Loraine Saunders Osborne, 73, 1027 Sheperds Gate, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1996, in Duke Medical Center.
Born Feb. 3, 1923, in Halifax County, she was a daughter of W.D. Powell and Minnie Crute Powell.
She was first married
to Elmer I. Saunders. Then, she was married
to Hunter Gunn Osborne.
She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Nance S. Loftis of Buffalo Springs; a stepson, Roy L. Osborne of McAlester, Okla.; two grandchildren; one stepgrandchild; and one great-grandchild.
A graveside service will be conducted 2 p.m. today from Oak Ridge cemetery by the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs and the Rev. Rodney Baker. The family will receive friends at the residence of Nan and Doug Loftis, Buffalo Springs, Clarksville.
Powell Funeral Home of South Boston is in charge of arrangements.
Ambassador "Bass" Patterson
CASCADE - Ambassador "Bass" Patterson, 60, Route 1, Box 1738, died Tuesday, Aug. 6, 1996, in the Morehead Memorial Hospital of Eden, N.C.
Born Aug. 2, 1936, in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of James Matthews Patterson and Mary Carter Patterson.
He was married
to Shirley Hodge Patterson, who survives.
He lived in Pittsylvania County his entire life. He was employed by Fieldcrest Cannon for 35 years. He was also a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Cascade.
In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include a daughter, Deborah P. Broady of Martinsville; four sisters, Nannie Kate Morrison and Eliza Lampkins, both of Cascade, Direcia Carter of Danville, and Carrie Glass of Eden, N.C.; and two brothers, James M. Patterson and Herbert Patterson, both of Cascade.
The funeral will be conducted 3 p.m. today from Shiloh Baptist Church by the Rev. John Tinsley. Interment will be in Danville Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
Hairston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Alden Jr.
SALEM - William F. Alden Jr., 73, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 1996, in the Veterans Hospital of Salem.
Born in Danville, he graduated from Schoolfield High School. During World War II, he served in the 82nd Airborne. Following the war, he continued his education at Wake Forest University, and later received a master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He lived in Charlotte, N.C., for many years, where he was employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield as district manager.
He was married
to Ruth Alden, who survives.
In addition to his wife of Charlotte, N.C., survivors include two sons, William Frank Alden III of Apex, N.C., and John S. Alden of Stanley, N.C.; two daughters, Kathryn Megorden and Victoria Brys, both of Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Roger B. Alden of Greensboro, N.C., and John D. Alden of Williamsburg; two sisters, Kathryn Oakes of Danville and Betty Jordan of Little Rock, Ark.; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted 3 p.m. today from Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in Charlotte, N.C., by Father Walter Edwards. Burial will be in the church's memorial gardens.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
Lila Allen
PETERSBURG - Lila Mae Allen, 82, of the Piedmont Geriatric Hospital in Burkeville, died Friday, Aug. 9, 1996, in Hirman Davis Medical Center of Petersburg. She had been in declining health for several years.
Born May 3, 1914, in Pittsylvania County, she was a daughter of Alonza Allen and Sally Farthing Allen.
She spent her entire life in Pittsylvania County. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by the Schoolfield Division of Dan River Mills Inc. in the sewing room for over 25 years. She was also a member of Marion Baptist Church.
Survivors include two brothers, Allie Neal Allen and William "Jack" Allen, both of Danville.
She was predeceased by three brothers, Frank Allen, Omer Allen and Harry Allen; and by three sisters, Florence A. Hall, Nellie A. Nuckles and Cecil A. Giles.
The funeral will be conducted 4 p.m. Sunday from Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel by the Rev. Edward L. Earl. Interment will be in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends 7:30-8:30 tonight at the funeral home, and other times at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Allen, 431 Lansbury Drive, and at the residence of Mildred Allen, Route 6, Chatham.
Holt Barksdale Sr.
Holt Willis Barksdale Sr., 43, 407 East Ave., died Tuesday, Aug. 6, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Jan. 5, 1953, in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of Nannie Louise Barksdale.
He was married
to Henrietta Barksdale, who survives.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Holt Willis Barksdale Jr. and Damar Barksdale, both of Danville; two daughters, Princess Barksdale and Nicole Barksdale, both of Danville; and a brother, Bernard Barksdale of Java.
The funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday from Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home Chapel by Bishop William Yarbrough. Interment will be in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
J. Haywood Crider
CHATHAM - J. Haywood Crider, 73, 827 Evergreen Road, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 1996, in Duke University Medical Center.
Born May 13, 1923, in Peytonsburg in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of John Henry Crider and Mabel Amos Crider.
He was married
to Hazel Amos Crider, who survives.
In 1959, he founded Crider Tire Service, and was active in this business with his sons.
He served on the Chatham Town Council from 1960-1970 and from 1990-1992. He served three terms as the mayor of Chatham from 1970-1976 and again from 1992 until the present.
He was a founding member of the board of directors of Pittsylvania Industrial Development Corp. He also served on the board of directors of Faith Home. He was a charter member and former president of Chatham Jaycees, and served as vice president of Virginia Jaycees. He was also a former member of the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department and past president of Cedars Country Club.
He was a founder and member of the first board of directors of Woodlawn Academy. He assisted in organizing the Chatham High School Cavalier Boosters Club, where he served as the first president.
For many years, he sponsored Little League, Sandy Koufax, and Mickey Mantle baseball teams.
In 1987, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.
He was also a member of Chatham Christian Church.
In addition to his wife of Chatham, survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth C. Knighton of Martinsville; two sons, Alvin R. Crider of Chatham and Jay Crider of Danville; two sisters, Virginia C. Forney and Phyllis C. East, both of Chatham; a brother, Carlton A. Crider of Chatham; and three grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday from Chatham Christian Church by the Rev. Carson A. Dalton. Interment will be in Hillcrest Burial Park.
The family will receive friends 7-8 tonight at Scott Funeral Home in Chatham, and other times at the residence.
John Edmunds
John Hadrick Edmunds, 73, 237 Crosland Ave., died Thursday, Aug. 8, 1996, in Danville Regional Medical Center, following six months of declining health.
Born March 1, 1923, in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of Edgar P. Edmunds and Mary Yeatts Edmunds.
On July 17, 1948, he was married
to Virginia Riddle Edmunds, who survives.
He was a retired farmer who spent most of his life in Pittsylvania County and Danville. During World War II, he served in the Army. He was also a former member of Southall Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife of Danville, survivors include a daughter, Bettie May of New Orleans; two brothers, George C. Edmunds of Danville and Kenneth M. Edmunds of Reidsville, N.C.; two sisters, Merle E. Puckett of Danville and Ruby E. Pressley of Ringgold; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two brothers, E.P. Edmunds and William "Billy" N. Edmunds; and by a sister, Ruth E. Francis.
The funeral will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday from Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel by the Rev. Jimmy Pruitt. Interment will be in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, and other times at the residence.
John Gibbs Jr.
John Currie Gibbs Jr., 100 Brockton Place, died Friday, Aug. 9, 1996, in his residence, following several months of declining health.
Born Jan. 17, 1918, in Danville, he was a son of John Currie Gibbs and Janie Howard Gibbs.
On Nov. 15, 1946, he was married
to Sylvia Watson Gibbs, who survives.
He was a graduate of George Washington High School and North Carolina State University.
During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corp. for four years.
He was a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, where he had served on the Board of Stewards.
Prior to his retirement in 1981, he was employed by Belk-Leggett Co. for 40 years. He was manager of the Danville Downtown Store and the Nor-Dan Store.
He was also past president of the Retail Merchants Association.
In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include a son, John C. Gibbs III of Raleigh, N.C.; two daughters, Sally G. Vick of Greensboro, N.C., and Susan G. Cumbey of Richmond; and nine grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted 3 p.m. Sunday from Mount Vernon United Methodist Church by the Rev. John LeGault. Burial will be in Mountain View cemetery.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 tonight at Townes Funeral Home, and other times at the residence.
Norman McGaha
GAITHERSBURG, MD - Norman R. McGaha, of Gaithersburg, Md., died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1996.
He was predeceased by his wife, Ethel Vincent McGaha.
Survivors include two daughters, Joyce A. Terry of Mentone, Calif., and Brenda M. Eli of Morgantown, W.Va.; two sisters, Hazel Musgrove and Joan Grant; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday from De Vol Funeral Home, in Gaithersburg, Md. Interment will be in Arlington National cemetery.
The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Ernest Bernard
CALLANDS - Ernest Everette Bernard, 61, of 3261 Wateroak Road, died Sunday, April 14, 1996, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Aug. 29, 1934, in Franklin County, he was a son of John Samuel Bernard and Letha Ann McBride Bernard.
He was a farmer in his early days, and for the last 11 years worked for American Furniture Co. of Martinsville.
He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Rosa Kathleen Tuck Bernard, of the residence; one daughter, Wendy Kathleen Bernard of the residence; four sons, Charles Everette Bernard of Danville, Ricky Dale Bernard of Martinsville, Tony Dean Bernard of Danville and Donald Glenn Bernard of Callands; one brother, James Bernard of Chatham; three sisters, Vergie Smith of Rocky Mount, Janie Adkins of Axton, and Mary Wells of Danville; and seven grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one brother, John Herbert Bernard.
The funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Ridge Christian Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 tonight at Barker Funeral Home, and other times will at the residence.
