U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
THEODORE C. GUYNN
Theodore Culbert Guynn, 86, Ararat, died Monday morning, December 2, 2013, at his home.
He was born May 5, 1927, in Patrick County and was a son of the late George and Pearlie Martin Guynn.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lola Weatherman, and a brother, George "Dick" Gwynn.
He was retired from U.S. Postal Service after 43 years of service and he was a member of The Fellowship Church in Ararat.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during World War II. Guynn was the last charter member of the Ararat Ruritan Club.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Bertie Hill Guynn of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Chris Markwith of Midlothian; one son and daughter-in-law, Teddy and Jami Guynn of Ararat; grandchildren, Kayla Markwith and Wyatt Markwith both of Midlothian; two stepgrandchildren, Brad Easter and Kandy Alvear, both of Mount Airy, N.C.; one brother and sister-in-law, James Gray and Louise Guynn of Ararat; and his extended family, Mack Stewart and Tom Perry, both of Ararat.
Graveside services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Oakdale Cemetery in Mount Airy with the Rev. Charles Moore officiating.
Graveside rites will be conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard, Mount Airy Post 2019 and Pilot Mountain Post 9436.
There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home but the family extends an invitation to all to come and visit with them at The Fellowship Church after the service.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Fellowship Church, 5101 Ararat Highway, Ararat, VA 24053 and the Ararat Rescue Squad, 4690 Ararat Highway, Ararat, VA 24053.
His body will remain at the Moody Funeral Home of Mount Airy until time to be taken to the cemetery for the service.
MARGARET F. NITEN
Margaret Fayetta Niten, 61, of Duplex Lane, Ararat, died Friday, November 29, 2013, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
She was born August 4, 1952, in Patrick County to the late William Lawrence and Eunice Marie Bowman Niten.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Emily East; and a brother, William Niten.
She served in the U.S. Army.
Surviving are five sisters and two brothers-in-law, Janie Booth and Jean and Marshall Gordy, all of Pilot Mountain, N.C., Elizabeth Essick of Mount Airy, N.C., Brenda Scales of Ararat, and Judy Mount of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Glen and Judy Niten of Ararat, Oral and Darlene Niten of North Wilkesboro, N.C., and Richard and Elizabeth Niten of Mount Airy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is planning a memorial service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials be made to Ararat Volunteer Fire Department, 5082 Ararat Hwy., Ararat, VA 24053 or the Ararat Volunteer Rescue Squad, 4690 Ararat Hwy., Ararat, VA 24053.
Arrangements are by Moody Funeral Home, Mt. Airy.
ANNIE I. REEVES
Annie Marie Inman Reeves, 63, of Collinsville, died on November 29, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born in Patrick County on January 4, 1950, and was a daughter of the late John Everett and Grace Wagoner Inman.
She was also preceded in death by two grandchildren, Brianna Reeves and Scottie Joseph Reeves Jr. and two infant siblings.
She was a member of First Assembly of God Church where she was a very active member.
Surviving are her children, Cyndi Lynch of Martinsville and Scottie Reeves of Bassett; two grandchildren; brothers, Lonnie Inman, John Inman and Leroy Inman; sisters, Margaret Inman, Peggy Richards, Betty Ruth Shively and Lena May Bowman.
A funeral service was conducted Tuesday at Bassett Funeral Service chapel with the Rev. Joe Nunley officiating.
Burial was in Hylton-Inman family cemetery.
Pallbearers were Billy Utt, Brandon Inman, Lee Roy Inman, Keith Inman, David Baker, Tony Moore and Jeff Inman.
MATTIE S. RUTLEDGE
WALNUT COVE Mattie Joyce "Cotton" Simmons Rutledge, 85, died Thursday morning, November 28, 2013 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.
She was born June 10, 1928 in Stokes County to Robert and Katie Susan Hicks Joyce.
Mrs. Rutledge liked playing Rook. She loved gardening, growing flowers and canning food from her garden.
She was a retired hairdresser and operated her own shop in Jamestown and Stuart, VA.
She was a trained EMT and a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
A 2:00 pm funeral service was held Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Heitman and Rev. Terry Ragsdale officiating.
Burial was in Peters Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Gilmer W. Simmons; sisters, Fannie Tuttle, Alma Cook, Nellie Lewis and Sadie Boles; and brothers, Abe Joyce and Charlie Joyce She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert William Rutledge of the home; four children, Cheryl Rayle of Walnut Cove, Teresa Simmons Serafin of Greensboro, Susan Simmons Bradley and husband Ted of Lake Wylie, SC, Phil Simmons and wife Gail of Greensboro; one stepson, Reggie Rutledge of Germanton; four grandchildren, Jason Simmons, Kevin Simmons, Jacob Serafin and Haley Serafin; two stepgrandchildren, Gina Rutledge and Tina Rutledge; two great-grandchildren, Gracie Simmons and Micah Simmons and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Peters Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Clarence Hall, 4358 Salem Way, Stuart, VA 24171.
Arrangements were by Burroughs Funeral Home in Walnut Cove.
SANDERS L. SHELTON
Sanders Lane Shelton, age 62, of Chesapeake and formerly of Patrick County, died Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at his home.
He was born on December 23, 1950, in Patrick County and was a son of the late Claude Sanders Shelton and Audrey Hazelwood Shelton.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Era; and was a hospital laboratory manager.
Surviving are his wife, Corazon Villamor Shelton of the home; one daughter, Maria Shelton Bailey of Chesapeake; and four grandchildren
The funeral service was held Sunday at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Pastor Dewayne Troutt officiating.
Burial was in the Patrick Memorial Gardens with flag presentation by the Patrick County Veterans' Memorial Honor Guard.
HERMAN STRICKLAND SR.
Herman Strickland Sr. was born on May 25, 1921 to the late James Monroe Strickland and Sarah Jane
Smith Strickland in Patrick County.
The family moved to Long Island, N.Y., where Herman accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized by the late Rev. Joseph of The First Baptist Church of Riverhead.
He received his formal education at Mattituck High School and later graduated from Riverhead High School class of 1941.
Herman loved God and the church.
He joined The First Baptist Church of Cutchogue and later Shiloh Baptist Church of Southold under the late Rev. Percy Tann where he served as the superintendent of Sunday school and was a member of the senior choir.
He was elected president of the Sunday School Union which represented nine Baptist churches on the east end of Long Island, NY.
He later became a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Stuart.
He was a member of the East End Town Team Baseball League playing for Mattituck and Cutchogue.
His position was catcher and his batterymate, Alex "Sonny" Zanieski was the pitcher and they won many games.
Herman was at the Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Stuart when he answered God's call and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 30, 2013.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; and 13 brothers and sisters.
He leaves to cherish his memory, Herman Jr. and wife Bessie of Blythewood, S.C.; granddaughter, Torri S. Strickland-Anderson and husband James; adopted daughter, Lisa Lea of Charleston, S.C.; grandsons, Antonio and Omar Strickland; brother, Robuster Strickland and wife, Hazel of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Elder Brooks Tatum and the Rev. Walter Scales officiating.
Burial, with military rites by the Patrick County Veterans' Memorial Honor Guard, will follow in the Patrick Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
BONNIE P. VAN GORDER
Bonnie Phillips Van Gorder, age 82, of Vesta, died Thursday, November 28, 2013, at Heritage Hall Laurel Meadows Nursing Home.
She was born in Carthage, N.C., on April 3, 1931.
Surviving are her husband, Kenneth Van Gorder of the home; two daughters, Judy Benrud of Cary, N.C., and Becky Young of Raleigh, N.C.; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Myrtle
Jones of Moncure, N.C.; and one brother, Atlas Phillips of Sanford, N.C.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is handling the arrangements.
THOMAS COOPER VIA
Thomas Cooper Via, Sr of Blacksburg beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather went to heaven on December 3rd, 2013.
He was born August 6th, 1931 in Critz, VA to James Lee Via Sr. (proprietor of the community general store) and Ruth Cooper Via.
He was preceded in death by his brothers James Lee Via Jr, and Marshall Ney Via.
After graduating from Hardin Reynolds High School in 1949, he served as a Yeoman in the US Navy during the Korean War.
Cooper married Frances Newbern in Elizabeth City, NC on January 1st, 1956.
They began their married life in Blacksburg, VA while he attended VPI.
He graduated in 1958 with a B.S. in Business Administration and remained a life long Hokie fan.
Upon graduation Cooper began his career at Leonard L
Brown Insurance Agency.
He was the second President of the agency from 1980 1998.
He served two terms on the Virginia Independent Insurance Agents Board and President of the Highland Insurance Association.
Cooper was a member of Blacksburg Baptist Church where he was a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Barnabas Sunday School class.
He served as President of the Blacksburg Kiwanis Club, President of the University Club, and served on the National Bank advisory board.
He took pride in saving the signature Red Barn while on the Blacksburg Country Club board.
He was a manager on the first campaign of the Blacksburg United Way.
An accomplished gardener, he enjoyed sharing his harvest with others and his roses brightened many celebrations.
He is survived by his wife Frances Via; sister Virginia Via Allman; brother in-law Willard Newbern and wife Scarlett; sister in-law Catherine Via; children Thomas Cooper Via, Jr and wife Jo, Christopher Newbern Via and wife Melanie and Elizabeth Via Turbyfill and husband John; his grandchildren Nancy Via, John Christopher Via, Daniel Via, John Preston Turbyfill, James Turbyfill, Melanie Via, William Turbyfill and Woodrow Turbyfill; great-grandchild Caroline Linkous; four nephews, James Lee Via, III, John Tyler Via, Elwood Alderman and Robert Lee Alderman.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 2:00 pm in the Blacksburg Baptist Church with Dr. Tommy McDearis and Rev. Todd Millsaps officiating.
Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Cooper's name to the Memorial Fund, c/o Blacksburg Baptist Church, 550 North Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 pm Wednesday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.
WILLIAM F. BELCHER
William Franklin "Willie" Belcher, age 83 of Woolwine, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Oak Haven Assisted Living in Floyd.
He was born in Patrick County on June 13, 1931 to the late Joe Ed Belcher and Vera DeHart Belcher.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Belcher was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Thomas Belcher; three sisters, Estelle Hodgson, Gaynelle McGrady and Pauline Wilmouth; and one brother, Joe Henry Belcher.
He had served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and retired as the superintendent of maintenance within the Calvert County, Md., Public School System. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Mr. Belcher is survived by one son, Dean Belcher of Willis; three grandchildren, Amanda Ann Belcher of California, Rachel Elaine Belcher of Woolwine and Samuel Thomas Belcher of Willis; one great-grandchild, Jaxon Dean Provencher of California; one sister, Frankie Brammer of Woolwine; and nieces and nephews, Teresa and Tony Edwards, Dennis and Vicky Brammer.
Funeral services were held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Woolwine United Methodist Church with Rev. Gerald Melton and Rev. Jim Churchwell officiating.
Burial was in the Woolwine Cemetery with a flag presentation by the Patrick County Veterans' Memorial Honor Guard.
Moody Funeral Home in Stuart was in charge of the arrangements.
JOHN B. BELL
Mr. John B. Bell, age 79 of Stuart, Virginia, left his earthly home and went to his heavenly home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 7, 2014.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Clerk Bell and Georgia Arnett Bell.
He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Helen Louise Bell; two other sisters, Frances Bell Mays and Jean Bell Belton; one brother, Bob C. Bell; a nephew, Robert R. Mays, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Robert R. Mays, Sr. and Randolph Belton; and a sister-in-law, Christine Lawrence Bell.
John graduated from Logan High School in Logan, West Virginia in 1953.
He was a varsity basketball player for three years for the Logan Wildcats.
He played the trumpet or the French horn in the Marching High School band.
In 1954, John was employed by Appalachian Power Company.
He was transferred to Stuart, Virginia from Logan, West Virginia in 1959.
He retired from AEP with 42 years of service in 1996.
John was a member of Stuart Baptist Church for 47 years where he served as a Sunday School teacher of the junior boys class and a substitute teacher for a couples class.
He served as a deacon and was on many committees of the church.
John sang in the choir from 1959 through 2006.
In June, 2006, John became a charter member of the newly formed Southern Baptist church named Grace Baptist Church of Stuart, Virginia.
He served as a deacon and was an active member of a couples Sunday School class and a member of the church choir.
John was awarded Deacon Emeritus in 2010 by Grace Baptist Church.
John is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Florence (Flo) Paul Bell of the home; their children, Sherry Jean Bell of Charlottte, North Carolina, Tim K. Bell (Carolyn) of Newport, Virginia and Shawn Bell Lester (Mark) of Richmond, Virginia; two grandchildren, Kelli Bell Sanchez (Robert) of Louisville, Kentucky and Kory Keaton Bell; a great-granddaughter, Kacee Grace Sanchez of Louisville, Kentucky; nieces, Jennifer Gore (Claude) of Ona, West Virginia, LoAnna Paul Lacey (Rob) of Kingsport, Tennessee and Cecilia Mays of Holden, West Virginia; nephews, Dr. Rod Mays (Debbie) of Greenville, South Carolina and George Belton (Tina) of Nashville, Tennessee; a brother-in-law, Sam F. Paul (Janet) of Edmond, West Virginia; and a very special cousin, Vernon (Buddy) Ferrell (Jean) of Logan, West Virginia.
John is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Grace Baptist Church on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Mark Elkins, Dr. Rod Mays and Rev. Ted Thisse officiating.
Interment will follow in Patrick Memorial Gardens at 20937 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Stuart, Virginia 24171.
The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church, and at other times at the home on 668 Woodland Drive, Stuart, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Baptist Church Building Fund, 14087 Jeb Stuart Hwy., P.O. Box 1101, Stuart, Virginia 24171.
Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is in charge of the arrangements.
THELMA S. CARTER
Thelma Strickland
Carter age 93, of Squirrel Spur Road, Ararat, was died Sunday morning, September 7, 2014, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, N.C.
She was born October 8, 1920 and was a daughter of the late Robert Lee Strickland Sr. and Emma Ann Payne Strickland.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, J.T. Carter; a daughter, Phyllis McCarther; two sisters, Mary Alice Strickland and Gertrude Galloway; and three brothers, Billy, Raphael and Pleas Strickland.
She was a homemaker and was very instrumental in the success of their family farm.
She was faithful member of Clarks Creek P.P.B. Church where she baptized over 50 years ago by Reverend James Strickland.
She became mother of the church in December 1979.
She sang in the choir and became senior choir president in 1983.
She started teaching adult Sunday school in 1987, and was also a member of the Women's Auxiliary.
Surviving are three daughters, Barbara France of Ararat, and Johnnie Mae France and Jacqueline Shuff, both of Mount Airy, N.C.; two sons Kenneth
Carter and Dennis Carter, both of Ararat; one brother, Robert Strickland Jr. of Mount Airy; one sister, Martha Ann Strickland Clyburn of Mount Airy; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Clarks Creek Progressive Primitive Baptist Church in Ararat.
Elder Henry Wright will be the eulogist and burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Arrangements are by Spencer Funeral Directors in Mount Airy.
