U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Melvin C. Shaffer
Melvin Calvin Shaffer, 90, of 423 Midway Drive, Bristol, Tenn., died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, in Appalachian Christian Village,
Johnson City, Tenn.
He was a native of Washington County, Va., had lived in the Bristol area all of his life and was preceded in death by his wife, Bertie Shaffer.
He was a retired farmer and a charter member of the Throne of Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Helen Baker and Mrs. Allen (Linda) Feathers, both of Bristol, Tennessee, Mrs. June Shaffer, Bristol, Virginia, Mrs. Jay (Jeanette) Bright and Mrs. Mary Ann Keesee, both of Blountville; eight sons, the Rev. Randall Shaffer, Paul Shaffer and Wayne Shaffer, all of Bristol, Tennessee, Jack "Bud" Shaffer, Bluff City, Frankie Shaffer and Richard Shaffer, both of Bristol, Virginia, the Rev. Bobby Shaffer and the Rev. Donnie Shaffer, both of Blountville; two sisters, Bertha Connatser and Charmie Gross, both of Bluff City; 27 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge.
John W. Thompson Sr.
John W. "Bud" Thompson Sr., 70, of 931 Lewis Street, Bristol, Va., died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, in Bristol Regional Medical Center.
He was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area, a retired employee of Enterprise Fabricators, a former member of Bristol Life Saving Crew and the Washington County Volunteer Fire Department.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Elinor Thompson; two sons, John Thompson Jr., Savannah, Ga., and Richard Thompson, Bristol, Virginia; one sister, Jessie O'Dell, Bristol, Virginia; six brothers, Fred Thompson, James Thompson, Clayton and Conley Thompson, all of Bristol, Virginia, Dallas Thompson, Mendota, and Oscar Thompson, Douglasville, Ga.; three granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge.
Mary R. Whited
BANDY -- Mrs. Mary Rachel Whited, 86, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, in a Richlands hospital.
She was a native of Russell County, a member of Reynolds Ridge Community Church, a member of RSVP and a member of Virginia Black Lung Association.
She was the widow of Rufus Whited.
Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Edith Crawford and Mrs. Geneva Dunford, both of Bandy; Mrs. Shirley Brack, Fulton, Texas, and Mrs. Linda Gay, Brandford, Fla.; one son, Cecil Whited, Brooklyn, Ohio; one brother, Holand Hess, Swords Creek; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 26 great-great-grandchildren.
Singleton Funeral Service, Cedar Bluff, is in charge.
Mattie O. Clear
BROADFORD -- Mrs. Mattie (Oakes) Clear, 95, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at her home.
She was the widow of John Albert Clear.
Survivors include one son, Cecil Clear, Glenville, W.Va.; four daughters, Delcie Elliott, of the home, Sylvia Clear Couch, Richmond, Janet Surber, Chase City, Va., and Carol Hayden, Spotsylvania, Va.; two sisters, Mae Carter, Saltville, and Ruth Seymour, Marion; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home, Saltville, is in charge.
Walter M. Elswick
PRINCETON, W.Va. -- Walter Murvy Elswick, 98, of Glenwood Park Retirement Village, formerly of 125 Bratton Avenue, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1997, in Princeton Community Hospital.
He was a native of Jewell Ridge and a 1926 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he received both a bachelor of science degree and a doctorate of law degree.
After graduating, he returned to Tazewell, where he opened his law office, and later opened offices in Hinton and Princeton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Tiffany St. Clair Elswick.
During World War II he moved to Charleston and became Chief Enforcement Officer for the Office of Price Administration and served part-time in the Court of Claims for two years.
During the Korean War, he was general counsel for the Price Stabliization Office, Charleston, and after his retirement he operated Sunny Meadows Farm, Princeton.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Princeton, and Princeton Elks Lodge 1459.
Survivors include two sisters, Nettie Z. Pace and Mayme E. Cromer, both of Princeton; and several nieces and nephews.
Seaver Funeral Home, Princeton, W.Va., is in charge.
Maude M. Miles
APPALACHIA -- Maude Mae Miles, 89, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 1997, in Norton Community Hospital.
She was a native of Lee County, a retired LPN with St. Mary's Hospital, Norton, with several years of service, and was of the Baptist faith.
She was the widow of George L. Miles.
Survivors include four daughters, Geneva Neal, Florida, Shirley Wesley, Blacksburg, Wanda Marcum, Appalachia, Robin Miles, Winston-Salem, N.C.; two sons, G.L. Miles, Arkansas, Robert Miles, Yarmouth Port, Mass.; two sisters, Feral Maxfield and Dorothy Maxfield, both of Laramie, Wyo.; several nieces and nephews.
Holding Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, is in charge.
Lelia S. Mullins
GLADE SPRING -- Mrs. Lelia S. Mullins, 85, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, in Valley Health Care, Chilhowie.
She was a lifelong resident of Glade Spring, a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and the widow of Garnett Mullins.
Survivors include one sister, Connie L. Roop, Aiken, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is in charge.
Larry A. Neal
BLUFF CITY -- Larry Addison Neal, 49, of 219 Woodland Drive, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, at his home.
He was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County, an employee of Cortrim Hardwood Parts Company, with 30 years of service, and attended Bluff City United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Donald (Brenda) Mullins, Rockford, Ill.; three brothers, Terry Neal, Rockford, Ill., Freddie Neal, Roanoke, and Jackie Neal, Bristol, Tennessee; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge.
Gertrude G. Poston
MARION -- Gertrude Gray Poston, 89, of Catron Street, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998, in Smyth County Community Hospital.
She was a native of the Rich Valley area of Smyth County.
She was the widow of the Rev. Herbert Poston.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty Poston, Marion; one son, Jack Poston, Marion; four grandchildren, Patty Blevins, Penny Hale, Cindy Britton and Celeste Williams; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Barnett's Funeral Home, Marion, is in charge.
Wallace Pritt
MARION -- Wallace Pritt, 96, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, in Francis Marion Manor.
He was a native of the Bath County area and had lived in Konnarock and the Smyth County area for several years.
Survivors include many friends from Trivetts Rest Home, The Ridgefield Retirement Home and Francis Marion Manor.
Barnett's Funeral Home, Marion, is in charge.
