U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Eleanor Tate
Mrs. Eleanor Gray Tate, 79, went to be with the Lord Friday, August 31, 2007 at her home in Bristol. Born in White Top, Virginia, she had resided in Bristol the ladder portion of her life. She was of the Baptist faith and a devoted mother and wife. She was preceded in death by her parents Levi Coldiron and Bonnie Farmer Coldiron; a sister Bana Smith and two brothers Warren and Bill Coldiron.
She is survived by her husband Coy Vernon Tate of Abingdon; one daughter, Deloris Darlene Carter of Bristol, Virginia; three sons, Jack Tate of Abingdon, Michael Tate of Abingdon, and Phillip Tate of Bristol, Virginia; a special brother Bob Coldiron of Ypsalanti, Michigan; three grandsons and a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Tate will always be remembered for her loving kindness and generous spirit.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, September 3, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with the Rev. Scott Foster officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Donnie Vaughn, Jackie Clark, Mark Miller, Ed Booher, James Bryant, and Jack Booher. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7-9 pm at the funeral home.
Libby Ann Snodgrass
Libby Ann Snodgrass, 39, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2007 from injuries received in a motorcycle accident.
Libby was a lifelong resident of Abingdon, VA and was of the Holiness faith. She was the office manager for the Southern States Fertilizer Plant, Bristol, VA for the past 13 years and was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Lula Mae Dollar and a nephew, Michael Paul Dollar, II.
Libby loved traveling, animals, the outdoors, camping and fishing. She was very active in the Washington County Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge #1966 and the Women of the Moose, Lodge# 2019.
Survivors include her husband, Billy G. Snodgrass, Sr., her parents, Clifton Paul and Connie Dollar, two step-sons, Billy G. Snodgrass, Jr. and wife, Amy Snodgrass and Darrell Wayne Snodgrass all of Abingdon, VA, a brother, Michael Paul Dollar, Abingdon, VA, a sister, Pamela Mae Caywood, Bristol, TN, a special friend to Pamela, Anthony Caywood, two grandchildren, Lindsey and Alexis, a nephew, John Paul Caywood, several aunts, uncles and cousins, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Garnett and Thelma Snodgrass, Abingdon, VA.
The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, (19415 Lee Hwy.) located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Reverend Paul Price officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends Monday, December 3, 2007 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be John Crigger, Jr., Paul Worley, Ralph Castle, Danny Plummer, David McIlvaine and Dennis Godfrey. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Southern States Fertilizer Plant, Bristol, VA and the men of the Loyal Order of the Moose.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Moose Heart or to Moose Haven, P. O. Box 321, Abingdon, VA 24212.
William H. Carter
William Hugh Carter, MSG USAF (Ret.), age 60, died Sunday, December 2, 2007 at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center Hospice House at Mt. Home, TN from metastatic lung cancer that resulted to his exposure to the chemical “Agent Orange” during his service in the Vietnam conflict.
He was born on November 11, 1947 in Glade Spring, Virginia and was preceded in death by his father Hugh H. Carter of Meadowview, VA.
He was a member of the AME Zion Hill Church in Meadowview, VA and a 1965 graduate of the Douglas High School in Bristol, VA. He had retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant after 22 years of service. During his air force duty, he had served in the Vietnam conflict and served as a Legal Services Specialist. After his retirement, he made his home in Meadowview, VA and became an active member of the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad for 16 years. He was board certified as and Enhanced EMT. He was a life member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Abingdon Memorial Post #1994. He loved helping people and had served as a foster parent for 15 years for the Bristol, VA Dept. of Social Services. He was an avid golfer and deer hunter and enjoyed motorcycle riding.
Survivors include his wife Rebecca V. Carter; his mother, Mary C. Carter of Winston-Salem, NC; 4 sons, William V. (Junior) Carter of the home, Anthony Carter of South Bend, IN, William Hugh Carter, Jr. of and Michael Carter both of Champaign, IL; his daughter, Lisa Morris-Carter of Champaign, IL; 3 step-sons, Frank, Sean and Cesare Vargas all of Texas; his step-daughter, Gianna Vargas of the home; DA-DA’s grand boy, Nathaniel (Bumpie) Vargas of the home; two brothers, George Carter of Wytheville, VA and Jerome Carter of Mint Hill, NC; his brother in spirit and special friend, Marvin Peterson of Tuskegee, AL; 3 sisters, Mary (Sanford) Jenkins of Wytheville, VA, Charlotte (Clay) Carter of Meadowview, and Denise Wilson of Fort Worth, TX; special nieces, Michelle Carter of Harrisburg, NC and Sandra Jenkins of Winston-Salem, NC; nephew Chris Carter of Church Hill, TN and 18 grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:45 P. M. Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 P. M. Wednesday in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Anthony Horton officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Military honors will be provided by the Highlands Fellowship Veteran’s Honor Color Guard.
Pallbearers will be Clay Carter, Billy Clark, Gary Coleman, Kelvin Lindsey, Danny Medosch, Mike Owens and Larry Peyton. Honorary pallbearers will be Carol Barr, Prince Coleman and Warren Lindsey.
In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 458, Damascus, VA 24360.
Phyllis Jean Copley
Phyllis Jean Copley, age 67, passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2007, at the Johnson City Medical Center, following her courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Logan, WV, she was the daughter of the late Don and Willa Watterson. Phyllis was an avid reader and loved cooking.
Survivors include her loving and devoted husband of 48 years, Bob L. Copley; three sons, Scott Copley and wife, Dana, Columbus SC, Steve Copley and wife, Tammy, Sulfur Springs, TN, Mike Copley, and fiancé Susie Weaver, Bluefield, WV; one daughter, Sandy Copley Wade, and husband Ryland, Jonesboro, TN; one brother, Jack Watterson, Amboy, WA; two sisters, Betty Trent, Jonesboro, TN, and Brenda Brown, Gray, TN; and 14 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA, with Pastor Mark Copley and associate Pastor Gary Seaman officiating.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Albert Edgar Sproles
Albert Edgar Sproles, 86, of Mendota, Virginia, passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at his residence. He was a loving, joyful, peaceful, humble, and patient man and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was one of a kind – very few people have such a kind and gentle spirit, and his family will miss him so very much. He was a devout Christian, and there’s no doubt he is now rejoicing with our heavenly Father.
Mr. Sproles was born May 21, 1921 in Mendota, Virginia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and a sister. He was a U. S. Army veteran having proudly served during World War II. He was retired from the Washington County School System and was also a farmer. He continued his work on the farm up until the time of his illness.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce “Toby” Litton Sproles; three daughters, Lois Collins of Mendota, Sandy Sproles and fiancé Bob Fickle of Piney Flats, Tn., and Lisa Gilbert and husband Darrell of Jonesborough, Tn.; two sons, Tommy Sproles and wife Julie and Scotty Sproles and wife Diane, both of Mendota; seven grandchildren, Bryan Collins and wife Grace of Anderson, S.C., Scott Collins and wife Mandy of Roanoke, Va., Beth Taylor and husband Chris of Bristol, Tn., Richard Gilbert of Gray, Tn., Courtney, Carrie and Rachael Sproles of Mendota; and two great grandchildren, Taylor Collins of Roanoke, and Emma Collins of Anderson, S.C.; two sisters, Alda Hall and Lola Wise; and three brothers, Jack, William, and Herbert Sproles; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Beatrice Ingle, Janette and Randall Dean, Wilma Midkiff, and Valerie Louden for helping the family during their time of need. They would also like to say a special thanks to Patty Odum, Goodson Kinderhook Fire Department, and the Russell County Hospice Center for their kindness and loving care of Mr. Sproles. And last, but certainly not least, they would like to thank their own special angel, Lois Collins, for keeping the family focused, fed, and organized during this difficult time.
Mr. Sproles’ wishes were to be cremated and the family to dispose of his remains in a private ceremony with only his immediate family present.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Riverview Bible Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Midkiff officiating.
Betty Mae Dean Smith
Betty Mae Dean Smith, age 90, of Florence, AL and formerly of Atlanta, GA, died Tuesday, December 4, 2007. Mrs. Smith was a native of Churchill, TN and a member of Druid Hills United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA, where she taught a Sunday School class. She was a retired teacher and taught adult education at Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta. Betty loved gardening and was a faithful alumna of Emory & Henry College.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick F. Smith; her parents, Elmer and Mae Dean, and her brothers Wilson and Haswell Dean.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her nieces: Betty D. Walker, Anna Smith, Ida Sue Hines and Marlene Smith; her nephews: Wiley Dean, C. W. Dean, Stafford Smith, Jr., Stewart Smith and Buster Dean.
Her family would like to express a special thank-you to the staffs at Glenwood, Wellington Place, and to Dr. Loren McCoy for their loving care.
The funeral service for Betty Mae Dean Smith will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 7, 2007, at Emory & Henry Memorial Chapel with Dr. Tal Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in Holston Conference cemetery in Emory, VA. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the chapel.
Louise Christine Nash
Mrs. Louise Christine Nash, age 85, died Friday, December 7, in Johnston Memorial Hospital.
She was a good wife and helped Mr. Nash in every way that she could. She was a member of Shiloh Freewill Baptist Church. She loved her church and loved attending church. She was a past Sunday School Teacher, sang in the choir, helped with the Youth Group, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She loved gardening, especially her flowers. She was a seamstress and collected dolls. She liked going to auction seales, especially Mikes Auction in Damascus.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Norma Jean Malcolm, her brother Elmer Wright and her sister Ruth Campbell.
Survivors include her husband of 69 years, James H. (Jim) Nash; her grandchildren, Cindy Malcolm Anderson and husband Rick of Fayetteville, Tn. and Tracy Malcolm Eades and husband Tim of Bristol, Va.; her brothers-in-law, Charlie Nash and Ellis Nash both of Bristol, Va.; her great-grandchildren, Dustin Eades, Sydney Eades, Julia Anderson, Nathanael Anderson, and Victoria Anderson
A funeral Service will be held at 8:00 P.M. Monday, December 10, 2007, in the Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel with Rev. Walter Statzer, Rev. Jack Sprinkle and Rev. W. C. Amos officiating. Music will be provided by Donald White and Sissy Rachel. The committal and burial service will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 11, 2007 in the Mountain View cemetery, Bristol, Va. Those attending the service Tuesday are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 10:50 A. M.
The Family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Joey Blaylock, Mike Vannoy, Don Bott, Glen Thomas, William Bott, and Ted Blaylock. Honorary bearers will be Roy Murray, Tom Puckett, Bill Skeens, Earl Tignor, Fred Baker, and Joe Steele.
The family would like to send special thanks to Dr. William Handy and his staff as well as the staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Lisa Ann Thompson Barr
Lisa Ann Thompson Barr, age 48, passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at her home.
She was the daughter of Thelma Felty Hinkley of Abingdon and the late Harold Thompson.
Besides her mother she is survived by her husband, Charles Lewis Barr and one daughter, Melissa Whaley both of Ocala, Florida; one son, Charles Lewis Barr, II of Fryeburg, Maine. Three grandchildren, Alesia, James, and Lea. One brother; Harold Norris Thompson and wife; Gloria and their children; Shane and Ashley of Mt. Olive, North Carolina. She is also survived by a very special group of friends.
The graveside service will be conducted at 2 P.M. on Monday, December 10, 2007 in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Doug Findley officiating. The Family will receive friends in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (Located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens) from 1 P.M. until time for service on Monday. Pallbearers will be Dennis Edmondson, Shane Thompson, Mike Sweet, Curtis Felty, Montana Smith, Derrick Felty, Gregory Musick. Honorary Pallbearers will be J.R. Thompson, Gene Widener, Micheal Meade, William Arnett, and Bobby Musick.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Thelma Hinkley, 23019 Denton Valley Road Abingdon, VA 24211.
Samuel Johnny McVey
Samuel Johnny McVey, age 76, passed away Monday, December 10, 2007 in the Johnston Memorial Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Aussie Pauline McVey.
Survivors include two sons, Roger McVey, Bristol, VA and Mark McVey, Abingdon, VA, a daughter, Doris Cook, Bristol, VA, a brother, Louis McVey, Meadowview, VA, a sister, Ruth Dunn, Meadowview, VA, several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mountain View Baptist cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. with the procession leaving the funeral home at 10:35 a.m.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the Hospice Workers, the staff of Ellis Home Health and the Doctors, Nurses and staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital
Loyd H. Odum
Mr. Loyd H. “Snowball” Odum, age 86 passed away Friday, December 14, 2007 in Grace Healthcare of Abingdon.
Loyd was a member of the Meadowview United Methodist Church and was a Veteran of World War II having served his country in the U. S. Marines. He was a Game Warden in Washington County with thirty years of service.
He was the son of the late John Henry and Susie Webb Odum. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother Lucille Clark; two sisters, Neoma Clark and Isabelle “Lizzy” Arnold; five brothers, Vasco Odum, Meredith “Mert” Odum, Harold “Preach” Odum, Henry “June” Odum, Jr., and James “Jim” Odum.
Survivors include his son Freddie M. Odum, Roanoke, VA; two brothers Sylvester “Hank” Odum and wife Eunice, Roanoke, VA, Calvin “Cowboy” Odum and wife Barbara, Abingdon, VA; four sisters Marie Campbell, Bristol, VA, Virginia “Jenny” Clifton and husband Mike, Abingdon, VA, Elizabeth “Topsy” Dixon and husband Arvin, Wake Forest, NC and Sue Roe and husband Roland, Abingdon, VA, two grandchildren Michael Loyd Odum and Aaron Graham Odum both of Roanoke, VA: and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted Monday, December 17, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel with Rev. Katye Fox, Pastor Bob Neece and Evangelist Bob Steele officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with military honors to be conducted by Highlands Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Larry Odum, Jerry Price, Ray Jones, Shorty Caudill, G. C. Brown, Bryan Muldoon. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Austin, Norman Johnson, Larry Walls, Jim Buchanan, Roy Owens. The family would like to recognize the following deceased special friends of Loyd, Ernest Yeatts, George Buckles, Jack Wilkinson, Claude Buckles and Roy Smith.
The family will receive friends Sunday, December 16, 2007 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Nancyjane Brown McClure
Nancyjane Brown McClure, a retired Juvenile Probation Officer Supervisor of the 28th District Court Service Unit and the first female Juvenile Probation Officer in Washington County Virginia, died on Saturday December 15, 2007. She was 66.
Her death, peacefully at her home in Glade Spring, was from a year long battle with lung cancer.
Nancyjane was born and raised in New England. She graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts with a degree in Recreation and Youth Leadership and has a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Personal Services.
She began her career in Southwest Virginia in 1967 where she worked in government to assist in opening the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center. After two years of teaching at Sullins College, Nancyjane joined the 28th District Court Service Unit in 1972 as a Juvenile Probation Officer. In 1979 she became a Probation Supervisor serving Washington County, Smyth County, and the City of Bristol.
Nancyjane served on the Washington County and Bristol Advocacy Center Board, Washington County, Smyth County and City of Bristol Family Assessment and Planning Teams, Community Policy and Management Teams for the three localities, Department of Juvenile Justice Gang Management Advisory Team, Highlands Home Board, Family Oriented Group Home Program Board, and the Child Sexual Abuse Trauma Team. She was also very active at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where she served on vestry for several years and was a devoted parishioner.
Nancyjane is survived by her loving husband Edwin Grady, son Patrick Robert, daughter Morgan Lynn, mother Rose Brown, brother Bob Brown, daughter-in-law Karen McClure, son-in-law Michael Rooney, granddaughter Olivia Whitaker, and her grandson Cooper Grady Rooney.
Funeral services for Nancyjane Brown McClure will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church with The Reverend Craig Wylie officiating. Entombment will follow the service in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service, Forest Hills Chapel located at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 124 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.
Gary Neil Gonderman
Gary Neil Gonderman, age 62 passed away Saturday, December 15, 2007 in Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Gary lived most of his life in the Falls Mill Community of Bluefield and had been a resident of the Abingdon area since 1999. He retired from the N&W Railroad with 30 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Morton Edward Gonderman and Dorothy Louise Neal Gonderman, a brother Robert L. “Bobby” Gonderman and a sister Linda Davis. Gary was raised by James and Beulah Lambert.
Survivors include two sons Richard Gonderman, Mike Gonderman and wife Debbie Gonderman all of Abingdon, VA, a daughter, Barbara Hensley and husband Teddy Hensley, Hickory, NC, grandchildren Eric Lutz, Michael Gonderman and Amber Gonderman, two sisters Catherine Burnes and Andrea Davis, two brothers, Edward Wayne “Eddie” Gonderman, and Larry Gonderman, the mother of Gary’s children, Connie Barbour, Bluefield, VA.
A memorial service will be conducted Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel with Darrell Harmon officiating.
The family will greet friends Wednesday, December 19, 2007 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
