Alice Kennedy Blakley, 70, of Berwind, WV, died March 6, 2004 at the home of her daughter at Whittaker Ridge, WV, following a lengthy illness.
Born at Jolo, WV, she was a daughter of David Crockett Kennedy of Bartley, WV, and the late Mary A. Pruitt Kennedy.
She had made her home at Berwind for most of her life. She was a loving housewife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Berwind Pentecostal Christian Center of Berwind.
She was the widow of Fritz Abraham Blakley. In addition to her mother and husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Frauline Blakley, and one brother, Rev. James William Kennedy.
Survivors: father and step-mother, David Crockett Kennedy and Elizabeth Collins Kennedy of Bartley; daughters, Nancy Kestner and husband, Jocko, and Minnie Perkins and husband, Joseph, all of War, WV, Katie Ray Gibson and Colleen Adams and husband, Eddie, all of Berwind, Sally Perkins and husband, Raymond, of Whittaker Ridge, WV, Donna Miller and husband, Jeffrey, of Iron Station, NC, Maywonda Seagraves and husband, Byrd, of North Carolina, Thelma Grubb and husband, Roger, of Hopewell; sons, Fritz D. Blakley and wife, Deanna, of McAddenville, NC, Matthew Blakley and wife, Ann, of Stanley, NC; sisters, Lucy Hatfield of Okeechobee, FL, Lurene Mullins of Shipshewana, IN, Barbara Lopez of Goshen, IN, Helen Cole of Whitewood, Daisy Kennedy of Jolo; brother, Virgil Kennedy of Iaeger, WV; 40 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
The funeral will be conducted March 10 at 1 p.m. at the Berwind Pentecostal Christian Center at Berwind with Rev. Wimmer Muncey and Rev. Randy Campbell officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell is in charge of the arrangements.
Andrew J. Fry
Andrew Jackson Fry, 84, of Rosedale, VA, died March 5, 2004 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born in Wayne County, WV, he was a son of the late Jesse Fry, Jr. and Lucinda Nelson Fry.
He had lived in this area for the past 28 years and was of the Baptist faith. A United States Army veteran, he had served in World War II. He was a retired coal miner, having been employed at Island Creek Coal Company and was a member of the UMWA Local 1374.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Passmore Fry; his second wife, Fannie Dye Fry; two brothers; and four sisters.
Survivors: wife, Ann Hylton Fry; daughters, Polly Hagerman of High Point, NC, Mary Stevens of Lexington, NC; sons, William Fry of Louisville, KY, Charles Fry of Pecks Mill, WV, Dale Frye of Honaker; brother, William A. Fry of Rittman, OH; stepsons, Scotty Hylton of Doran, John Wayne Hylton and Steve Hylton, both of Raven; several additional stepdaughters and stepsons; 12 grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and 16 step-great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted March 6 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honaker with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Johnny Tiller officiating.
Graveside services and interment were conducted at 4 p.m. March 6 at the Saul Perry cemetery in Dunlow, WV.
Andrew "Andy" Hodock
Andy Hodock, 71, went to be with the Lord on March 1, 2004 at home with his loving family near him at Bailey Switch, Bluefield, VA.
Born in Elkhorn, WV, he was the son of the late Andrew and Annie Semonco Hodock.
He was a member of Bailey United Methodist Church in Bluefield, VA. He was retired from Eimco Machinery after 33 years of service. He was a farmer and loved his animals and spent many hours taking care of them. He was widely known for his woodworking projects. His handmade clocks with the cross and Bible are displayed in churches throughout the United States and many foreign countries. On a trip to the Holy Land, he brought a crucifix and attached it to an old log he found on his farm that resembled Golgotha Hill, this he used in his presentation of the Crucifixion of Christ. This program has been an inspiration to many people.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Nick Hodock, George Hodock and Frank Hodock, and one sister, Annie Hodock.
Survivors: wife of 44 years, Gladys Hodock; son, Mark Hodock of Bluefield, VA; daughter, Rhonda Hodock of Bluefield, VA; grandson, John Mark Hodock of Bluefield, VA; brother, John Hodock of North Tazewell; sisters, Helen Blackburn and husband, Blackie, of Roanoke, Mary Heidrich and husband, Ed, of Spring Hill, FL; and special friend, Perry Short of Tucson, AZ.
The funeral was conducted March 5 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA, with the Rev. Homer Roller and Rev. Tom Reed officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens at Bluefield, VA.
Donations may be made to the Bailey United Methodist Church, c/o Eve Shrader, Rt. 2 Box 454-A, Bluefield, VA 24605.
Richard Albert Stacy
Richard Albert Stacy, 74, of the Lynn Hollow area of North Tazewell, VA, died March 3, 2004 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born at Premier, WV, he was a son of the late Walter and Frances Blankenship Stacy.
He was a member of the Dial Rock Church of God in Tazewell. He had been employed as a coal miner for 42 years and was a member of U.M.W.A. Local #2322 at Amonate.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ernest Stacy and Earmal Stacy, and one sister, Ruth Triplett.
Survivors: wife, Clarice Howell Stacy; son, Earmal Stacy and wife, Wava, of North Tazewell; daughters, Shirley Mitchell and husband, David, of Granite Falls, NC, Judy Phylaw of Lenoir, NC; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted March 7 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. John Canning and the Rev. Barry Absher officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Roger Lee Vandyke
Roger Lee Vandyke, 66, of Canebrake, WV, died Oct. 4, 2005 at a Bluefield, WV, hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Edward L. and Amanda Elizabeth Earls Vandyke, both Canebrake natives.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Susie May Vandyke.
Survivors: sister, Juanita Ruth Adkins of Bandy; nephew, Larry Horton of Richlands; nieces, Peggy Wright of Bland, Karen Elder of Richlands, Sue Pennell of Kentucky; two great-nieces; six great-nephews; special friend and caretaker, Debbie Dishman of Canebrake; and the staff of The Maples Nursing Home in Bluefield, WV.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. at the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church in Canebrake with the Rev. Darrell Long and the Rev. Bill Keene officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of the arrangements.
Steve Voreh
Steve Voreh, 90, of Tazewell, formerly of Fairmont and Logan, WV, died Oct. 3, 2005 in Tazewell Community Hospital, following a long illness.
Born Nov. 28, 1914 at Elkhorn, WV, he was a son of the late Joe and Eliazabeth Voreh.
He was a retired Mine Foreman, a member of the Moose Lodge in Mannington, WV, a member of St. Luke Senior Friends, a very avid Bowler and Gardner and was of the Catholic Faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years, Helen Voreh, and 14 brothers and sisters.
Survivors: his second wife of 22 years, Ruth Francis Voreh; son, Fred Voreh and wife, Charlotte, of Mocksville, NC; daughter, Jackqueline Trump and husband, Bobby, of Tazewell; brother, Walter Voreh and wife, Lori Mae, of Fort Myers, FL; step son, Thomas Francis and wife, Patty, of Pearisburg; step daughters, Betty Porterfield and husband, Oliver, of Bozoo, WV, Virginia Smith and husband, Jerry, of Peterstown, WV, Sandra Keatley of New Port News; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and two step great great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown with Father Mike Herbert and Rev. Robert Belcher officiating.
Burial followed in Vinton Memorial Park cemetery in Vinton, OH.
Larry Alan Crigger
Larry Alan Crigger, 51, of Tazewell, VA, died Sept. 23, 2005 at a Tazewell hospital following a brief illness.
Born at Bluefield, WV, he was a son of Virginia Owens Crigger of Tazewell and the late Clarence Leslie Crigger.
He had made his home in Tazewell County all his life. He was a self employed welder. He was a 1973 graduate of Marion High School and attended CUC College of Tacoma, Washington. He was a member of the Seven Day Advent Church.
Additional survivors: sister, Sheilah Dotson and husband, David, of Bluefield, WV; brothers, Don R. Crigger and wife, Jo Ann, of Princeton, WV, Gary D. Crigger of Richlands, Tobi Crigger and wife, Janet, of Tazewell; good friend, Teresa Mabe of Richlands; and a host of nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell with Pastor David Byrkit officiating.
Interment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
James Clarence Gross
James Clarence Gross, 81, of Richlands, VA, died Sept. 24, 2005 in a Tazewell hospital following a long illness.
Born in McDowell, WV, he was the son of the late Brooks and Mary Hammons Gross.
He retired from Virginia Department of Highways in 1984.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ernest Gross, Henry Gross and Luther Gross; and one sister, Bertha Gross.
Survivors: wife of 50 years, Annie Smith Gross; daughter, Naomi Puckett and husband, Randy, of Richlands; step-daughters, Delores Jordan and husband, Tom, of Gaithersburg, MD, Effie Hicks and husband, Ken, of Richlands; granddaughter, Miranda Lee Puckett; 12 step-grandchildren; several step-great grandchildren; nieces, Nancy Addison and Barbara Addison; nephew, Allen Gross; and a special care giver Tonya Mitchell.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. from the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel with Elder Ronnie Beavers officiating.
Interment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens.
Ernie Marie Jarrells
Ernie Marie Presley Sluss Jarrells, 80, of the Mudfork area of Bluefield, VA, died Sept. 21, 2005 at her home.
Born May 11, 1925 in Gary, WV, she was a daughter of the late Crockett and Jennie Rose Presley.
She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was courageous and hardworking. Through her strength she taught us love.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank (Bud) Sluss; second husband, Mack Jarrells; one son, Frank Allen Sluss; two sisters, Cordie Akers, and Dorothy Jarrells; two brothers, Dan Presley and Vince Day; and three sons-in-law, Fred Hamby, Jessie Fuller and David Burkett.
Survivors: daughters, Judy Sluss Fuller of Cedar Bluff, Beulah Sluss Hamby and Murv Wickham of Evansdale, IA, Ronda Sluss Sheppard and husband, Tommy, of Abbs Valley, Wanda Sluss Burkett of Bluefield-Tazewell Road, Diane Duncan Helmandollar and husband, Danny, of Tazewell; son-in-law, Tim Duncan of North Tazewell; brother, Benton Presley of South Carolina; grandchildren, Tangela Hamby Jensen and husband, Jim, Steve Hamby, Terry Fuller and wife, Rhonda, Donna Fuller, Susan Johnson and husband, Craig, Jimmy Fuller and wife, Andrea, Scott Burkett and wife, Heather, Todd Burkett, Tara Burkett and husband, Justin, Jennifer Rose Sheppard, and Mason Duncan; great grandchildren, Christopher Hamby, Brad Fuller, Benjamin Fuller, Rachel Fuller, Levi Johnson, Ethan Burkett, Paige, Erin, and Scotty Burkett Brinkley; special friends, Jeff Glass of Bluefield-Tazewell Road, Georgia Householder of Tazewell; special caregiver, Louise Harrison; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Margaret St. Clair Moore Ripley
Margaret St. Clair Moore Ripley, 71, of Morristown, NJ, formerly of Bluefield, WV, died Sept. 21, 2005 in Madison, NJ.
A memorial service will be conducted Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at the Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell.
The family will receive friends from 6 - 9 p.m. Sept. 30 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell.
Edna (Indian) Peery Smith
Edna (Indian) Peery Smith, 96, of Raleigh, NC, died Aug. 4, 2005 in Wellington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Knightdale, NC.
Born March 23, 1909 in the Mud Fork area of Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Rufus Brittain Peery (1855-1937) and Laura Tiffany Peery (1877-1926).
She began her education at the Mud Fork one-room school near Harmon’s Chapel, where the family attended church. When the family moved to Tip Top, she continued her education and attended Alexander Methodist Church in Tip Top where her cousin Houston Tiffany was pastor. By 1920, the family lived in Thompson Valley and Edna continued her education in Tazewell while attending Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. After moving to Bluefield, VA, she lived with her sister, Mrs. Wade (Virginia) Bane and attended Tazewell County High School.
She completed her high school education at Genoa High School in Mercer County, WV. She attended Morristown College in Tennessee where she was a member of the debate team and basketball team. In 1941, she married
Oliver Lucian Smith and from that union was born Sevealyn Smith. She was a resident of Bluefield, WV, for approximately 60 years during which time she was employed in various professions including home childcare, practical nurse, housekeeper and cook extraordinaire. She retired from cooking at the YM & YWCA in 1973. She was a member of John Stewart United Methodist Church and also served on local boards including Bluefield City Library, Mercer County Head Start Program and APPALRED Legal Services of West Virginia.
She enjoyed taking care of children and for nearly 70 years helped approximately 200 children both privately as well as through the West Virginia Social Services spanning three generations. Beginning in 1969, a special son, James Cole, helped her with the children.
In 1988, she moved to Raleigh, NC to join her daughter, Sevealyn, and brought with her Jim as well as Lolita Steptoe, Glenda Smith and Linda Henderson whom she raised until they were adults. She continued to assist local families by babysitting children. She retired from taking care of children and cooking at age 94. She enjoyed spending time with the students, faculty and staff at Saint Augustine’s College. She supported many of the college activities through her attendance to visual and performing arts programs and commencements over the past 23 years. When the Falcon football returned, she went to every home game until her health declined.
Besides her parents, her husband and 20 siblings preceded her in death; the most recent of whom were Roosevelt, Bob, and Rosalind Peery of Tazewell, and Ella Taylor of Bluefield, VA.
In addition to the surviving children mentioned above, is a son, Matt Young of Newport News. Also surviving are nieces, Faye Peery Stout of Tazewell, and Ruth “Tiny” Bane Allen of Cleveland, OH; nephews, Lucian Peery of Tazewell, Reece Peery of Hudson, OH, and Luther Peery of Cleveland, OH; a host of foster children, grandchildren as well as many wonderful friends.
A memorial service was held at John Stewart United Methodist Church in Bluefield, WV, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
Capital Funeral Home and Cremation Society of the Carolinas in Raleigh was in charge of arrangements.
