U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Mary Lou Bryant
Mary Lou Bryant, age 94, passed away Monday, November 5, 2007 in the Abingdon Manor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe R. Bryant and her sons, Russell Bryant and Robert Bryant. She was a member of the Rush Creek Primitive Baptist Church
Surviving children includes, William “Bill” Bryant, Emory, VA, Roy Bryant, Church Hill, TN, Kate Huff, Smyrna, DE and Betty Whitt, Tazewell, VA, 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P. M. Wednesday, November 7, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Elder Curt Heath officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Glade Presbyterian Church cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 A. M. Wednesday until the time of the funeral service. In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Rush Creek Primitive Baptist Church in the Widener’s Valley Community or your favorite charity.
Frank A. Salak
Mr. Frank A. Salak, age 88, passed away November 6, 2007 in Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol, Tennessee.
Mr. Salak was born October 2, 1919 in Cowansville, Pennsylvania. He was a son of the late John Salak and the late Katherine Salak. Mr. Salak was a World War II veteran having served in the United States Army as a Sergeant in the medical corp. Mr. had resided in Abingdon for the past 20 years having moved from Grundy, Virginia. He was retired from Jewell Smokeless Coal Company as office manager. Mr. Salak was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon, Virginia. Mr. Salak was an avid golfer and enjoyed his monthly lunch date with his friends from Buchanan County.
Besides his parents he is preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.
Mr. Salak is survived by his wife of sixty years, Evelyn Wise Salak; one son, David Salak and wife, Elizabeth of Falls Church, Virginia and one daughter, Carol Casto and husband, Stephen of Fort White, Florida. One grandson, Benjamin Salak of Falls Church, Virginia.Two brothers, John Salak and Joseph Salak both of Pennsylvania and two sisters, Stella Edmonds of Pennsylvania and Martha Allard of California.
The funeral mass will be conducted at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, November 8, 2007 at Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Paul Maier officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 -6 P.M. Thursday at the church. The committal service will be conducted 11 A.M. Friday, November 9, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Everyone wishing to attend is asked to assemble at the cemetery by 10:50 A.M. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Teresa Kay Payne
Teresa Kay Payne “Momma Payne”, age 47, passed away at her home on Friday, November 2, 2007, after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, VA. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Teresa was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Hazel Felty and brother, Ralph Pope.
Survivors include: Husband: Jimmy Dale Payne; Children: Andrew Payne and Tracy Smith, and Marlo and Pamela Payne and Amanda Payne and Timothy Smith; Grandchildren: Jamie Payne, Dylan Smith, Hailey Smith and Jessica Walling; Brothers: Larry Pope and Randall Pope as well as several aunts, uncles and special friends
Graveside service will be conducted 2 P.M. Thursday, November 8, 2007 in Boohers cemetery with Rev. Walter Statzer and Pastor Pete officiating. Pallbearers will be Joey Blaylock, David Salyers, Stevie Blaylock, Herbie Payne Ken Canter, and Timothy Smith. The family will receive friends in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service on Thursday, November 8, 2007 from 11:30 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. Everyone wishing to attend the graveside service is asked to assemble at the funeral home by 1:15 P.M.
Winford "June" Roark, Jr.
Winford “June” Roark, Jr., age 84, went to rest in the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, surrounded by family at his home in Abingdon, VA. He was born in West Chester, NC, on September 2, 1923, to the late Winford and Ella Roark. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Rita R. Wright, and his son Roger Roark and his wife Judy Roark.
Mr. Roark was a loving husband, father, papaw and friend. He was also a skilled master carpenter and a talented gospel and bluegrass musician.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Louise Roark of Abingdon; daughter Kathy Kestner and her husband Sam D. of Abingdon; daughter Angela Carr and her husband Trey of Saltville, VA; son Douglas Roark and his wife Diana of Bristol, TN; brother Barton Roark and his wife Lola of Abingdon; brother Glen Roark of Abingdon; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Roark will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with burial services following at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Rev. James Beavers and Rev. Wayne Chant will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Jerry Wright, Robert Kestner, Daniel Whitson Kestner, Jimmy Anderson, Wayne 'Wink' Thorpe and Everett Caudill. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Carbary, Phillip Stallard and June’s best friend, Ralph Fern.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2007, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. William Handy and his staff, Intrepid Home Health, and Total Home Care Hospice for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in June’s honor to the Trigg Street Church of God Reconstruction Fund to be used for the rebuilding of the church structure, which he helped build many years ago.
Tammy Blevins
TAMMY DAWN ROBERTS BLEVINS, 41, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 8, 2007. She was born in Bristol, Tennessee and was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Virginia. She was a member of Community Baptist Church in Bristol, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Wyndom Arnold and Helen Juanita (Sal) Arnold and her maternal grandparents, Roland (Buck) Bowman and Charmie Bowman.
She is survived by her daughter, Ashley Roberts of the home; her parents, Hobert and Shirley Arnold of the home; her sisters, Ginger Roe and husband Roger of Abingdon, Angela Hall and husband Jackie of Abingdon; nieces and nephews, Tony Roe of Abingdon, Jennifer Bayse and husband Stacy of Abingdon, Jammie Hall and wife Kimberly of Abingdon, Danielle Fulkrod and husband Patrick of Bristol, Virginia; aunts and uncles, Dorothy (Sis) and Sanford Botts of Abingdon, Mary Hazel and Ike Wilcox of Bristol, Virginia, Peggy and John Wooten of Abingdon, Debbie and James Gentry of Bristol, Virginia; and three special nephews, Roger Dale, Dylan Bayse, and Zachary Hall.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, November 12, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Todd Crusenberry officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Pine Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tony Roe, Jammie Hall, Stacy Bayse, Patrick Fulkrod, Donald Roe, and Ronnie Roe.
Anna Marie Jackson Blankenship
Mrs. Anna Marie Jackson Blankenship, age 71, a resident of 22646 Green Spring Road in Abingdon and formerly of Grundy, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at her home.
Born in Isaban, WV, she was a daughter of the late Bert Jackson and Virgie Johnson Jackson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Dale Blankenship and her sister, Bonnie Sue Jackson Schmirler.
Anna was a loving wife for 51 years; not only a mother to her children but a best friend for them and also a playmate for her grandchildren. She was a kind, compassionate and giving person, not only of herself but also of her wisdom and knowledge.
Anna was a member of the Painter Creek Church of Christ; the Rebekkah Lodge #17 of Grundy, VA; the Virginia Nursing Association and previous longtime member of the Girl Scouts of America.
Survivors include her loving and devoted husband of 51 years, Virgus Blankenship; her daughters Kimberly Dawn Rife and Sherri Leigh Blankenship both of Abingdon; her sisters, Yvonne Stallard of Bristol, VA, , Verna Owens of Alpenia, MI and Bernia Hensley of Hurley, VA; her brothers, Clarence Jackson of Sterling, IL and Donald Jackson of Madison, WI. She was blessed with five grandchildren, Selena Hope Blankenship of Bluefield, WV, Anna Nichole Rife of Greenville, SC, Bobbi Lynn Blankenship of Claiborne, TN, Isabella Alexus Rife of Abingdon, VA and Colton Taylor Blankenship of Abingdon, VA. Anna was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Marcus Corwin Blankenship of Richlands, VA and Cherub Elizabeth May of Bluefield, WV. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 9:00 P. M., Thursday, November 15, 2007, at the Painter Creek Church of Christ, 24579 Green Spring Road in Abingdon. On Friday, November 16, 2007, Anna will lie in state at the church and the family will also receive friends from 6:00 – 9:00 P. M. The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P. M. Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Painter Creek Church of Christ with Ministers Mark Gaminde, Richard Gaminde and Mike Rife officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens in Clay Pool Hill, VA. Pallbearers will be Jack Stallard, Kenneth Howard, Warren Blankenship, Edgar Blankenship, Jr., Bobby Church, Sonny Scott and Anthony Skeens. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Ernest Henry, Dr. Todd Nairn, Steve Gardner, Hubert Arnett, and members of the Painter Creek Church of Christ.
Connie Nelson Tignor
Connie Nelson Tignor, age 47, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at Johnston Memorial Hospital.
She was a member of Union Hope Presbyterian Church at Gate City Highway and she also attended Rosedale Baptist Church in Abingdon, VA.
Survivors include her husband Kyle Tignor of Abingdon, one son, David Tignor of the home; her parents, Clay and Shirley Nelson of Bluff City, TN, one brother, Marty Nelson of Meadowview, VA; one sister, Angie Sandoe and husband, Roy of Bristol, TN; very special aunts and uncles, Carolyn and Floyd Nelson of Abingdon, VA and Janice and Charles Bumgardner of Sun Field, Michigan. Special uncles; Robert and David Nelson of Greenville, TN, sister-in-law and husband, Linda and Larry Gobble of Abingdon, VA; brother-in-law and wife, Sammy and Jewel Tignor of Meadowview, VA and brother-in-law and wife; Larry and Stephney Tignor of Abingdon, VA and Brother-in-law and wife, Roger and Sandra Tignor of Abingdon, VA and several nieces and nephews and her special cat, “Marvin”.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 16, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Ronnie Blevins and Dr. Don Paxton officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Ricky Gobble, Randy Gobble, Keith Gobble, Matthew Tignor, Steven Tignor, and Rick Singleton. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Thursday November 15, 2007 from 6-9 P.M. or anytime at the home of Linda and Larry Gobble 24451 Hillandale Road Abingdon, VA.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Cheng and the Emergency Room Department and the 5th floor staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital and the Dialysis Center in Abingdon.
Miriam Cassandra Caldwell
Miriam Cassandra “Sandi” Caldwell, age 55, died at home on Friday, November 16, 2007, after a lengthy illness. She was born on April 28, 1952, in Madison, West Virginia, a coal miner’s daughter and one of seven children born to Ronald and Lena Estep.
She graduated from East Bank High School in Charleston, West Virginia and attended Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston). She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Virginia Intermont College in 1992.
As a working mother, she excelled in many different professions. She was the first female hearing officer for the UMWA funds, where she helped qualify scores of retired coal miners for pension benefits. She was a self-employed court reporter, known to many area attorneys and judges for her accuracy and her prompt and courteous service. She was the administrator of four rural health clinics, insuring that good health care was delivered to the residents of several remote Northeast Tennessee counties. She taught in the adult education G.E.D. program in Washington County, Virginia, inspiring several of her students (including female inmates at the Washington County Jail) to not only obtain their high school diplomas but to go on to college.
Sandi was an artist, a designer and a decorator. She possessed an innate sense of style defined by simplicity and beauty. She was an admirer and savior of old houses. She refurbished a turn-of-the-century home in Bristol, Virginia and was the creative force behind the restoration of the 1886 Wiley House (aka the Patton House) in Abingdon, Virginia. The result of her work on the latter project can be viewed online at www.oldabingdon.com.
Sandi loved children and successfully chaired the first capital campaign launched by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol/Washington County, Virginia. That campaign raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and enabled the Center to renovate and move into its current quarters in the historic John Preston House, Preston’s Grove, on Lee Highway in Bristol, Virginia. The Center served 380 abused and neglected children this year, and Preston’s Grove is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Above all else, Sandi was a mother. Widowed at a young age, Sandi worked hard to support and to raise her two sons in a loving and supportive environment. She was the youngest mom in PTA and spent countless evenings and weekends ferrying her children and others to baseball and soccer fields. She insisted on having dinner at the table, where she served delicious dishes taught her by her mother and grandmother, while using dinner table conversation to not only discuss events of the day but to instill values and develop family bonds. She tried her best to be a good stepmother and grandmother. She always wanted her most enduring legacy to be personified by the exemplary lives lived by her children and grandchildren.
The family thanks Dr. Jonathan Swank, nurse Diane Wise, Dr. Mark Davis and the staff at Cancer Outreach Associates, Dr. Bernard Tisdale and the staff at the Johnston Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, and pharmacist Melissa Belcher and the staff at the Abingdon Kroger pharmacy for their kind and loving care of Sandi.
Sandi was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Wallace Estep, her mother Lena Hill Estep, and her brother, Randy Blake Estep.
Sandi is survived by her loving and devoted husband of twenty-three years, Dan Caldwell of Abingdon, Virginia; her son Kevin Lee Christy and his wife Jill, also of Abingdon; her son Ronald Blake Michaelson and his wife Nicole of Park Hills, Kentucky; her step-daughter Erin Sylvana Caldwell of Knoxville, Tennessee; her brother Robert Mitchell Lacy and his wife Dona of Chesapeake, West Virginia; her brother Royce Edward Lacy and his wife Penny of Summerfield, Florida; her brother Steve Estep and his wife Jody of Augusta, Georgia; her sister Regina Kate Carr and her husband John of Chesapeake, WV; her sister Cheryl Lynn Snodgrass and her husband Joseph of Chesapeake, WV; her granddaughters Emilee Renee Christy and Katelynn Cassandra Christy; her grandsons Kevin Lee Christy, Jr. and Nicholas Blake Michaelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family of Sandi Caldwell will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2007, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon, and from 11:00 a.m. – noon on Monday, November 19, 2007, in the Fellowship Hall at Abingdon United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Monday, November 19, 2007, at Abingdon United Methodist Church. The Rev. Walter Weikel and the Rev. Nicole Hill will officiate, and Sandi’s eulogy will be given by Elizabeth McClanahan.
A brief graveside service will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Homer Wolfe, Billy Perry, Robbie Lacy, Michael Lacy, Tommy Lacy, and Abingdon Police Chief Tony Sullivan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol/Washington County, Virginia, Inc., PO Box 16231, Bristol, Virginia 24209, or to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Evelyn Counts Henderson
Mrs. Evelyn Counts Henderson, age 72 passed away Friday, November 16, 2007 at her home after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edward and Vada Taylor Counts, and her husband, Herschel J. Henderson.
She was a member of the Lindell Church of Christ where she taught the youth for many years. She was also a member of the Hayter’s Gap Senior Citizens.
She is survived by her beloved son, Mark S. Henderson, who has followed her every step of the way in her illness; one brother, Cecil E. Counts and wife Faye of Salem, VA; one sister, Vivian Collins Boardwine and husband, Charles of Saltville, VA; her sisters-in-law, Margaret H. Williams, Meadowview and Zane H. Litton, Abingdon; brothers-in-law D.N. Henderson, Abingdon; and Joy Henderson and wife, Brenda, Abingdon, VA; several nieces and nephews as well as many other family members and a host of friends.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2pm, Monday, November 19, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Ministers Johnny Farmer, Everett Morefield, and Phil Harris. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Eddie Counts, Eddie Henderson, Gary Litton, Phil Henderson, Dale Williams, Tim Henderson, Billy Wise, and Brad Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be Donnie Holmes, David Eastridge, Sherman Lamie, Steve Scott, Harold Stallard, and Trevor Counts. The family will receive friends after 6 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
The family would like to thank Dr. Forest Swan and staff at Cancer Outreach of Abingdon; Dr. Delaplane and Dr. Mann as well as the 5th floor nurses at Johnston Memorial Hospital, and a very special thanks to Hospice Services of Southwest Virginia and their dedicated staff of nurses. Flowers are appreciated or contributions can be made to Cancer Outreach 206 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, Virginia 24211.
Margaret Harper Taylor
Margaret Harper Taylor, 82, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at the home of her daughter, following her courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Russell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late William T. and Susie Ellen Harper. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Clyde A. Mutter; second husband, Robert F. Taylor; and three sisters Helen Cox, Pauline Graham, and Madge Hicks.
Survivors include one son, Phillip H. Taylor, Cedar Bluff, Va.; and one daughter, Janice Duncan and husband, Doug, Bristol, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Robert Taylor, Cedar Bluff; James Harper Taylor and wife, Reneé, Richmond, Ky.; Susan Denton and husband, Kevin, Johnson City, Tenn.; and Matthew Duncan and wife, Mary, Bristol, Tenn.; and two great grandchildren, Joseph and Jasha Taylor, both of Richmond, Ky, one sister, Willellen Viencill of Cedar Bluff and special sister-in-law, Margaret Helms of Abingdon.
Margaret enjoyed a 35-year career with H&R Block and also worked several years for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Abingdon, Va. As a long-time resident of Abingdon, Margaret was blessed with a full life and was known for her gentle loving nature and the great pride she took in her family and friends. She was of the Methodist faith.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2007, in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA with Pastor Steve Page officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Robert Taylor, James Harper Taylor, Matthew Duncan, Kevin Denton, Randy Sword and Tommy Hicks, with honorary pallbearers Jim Graham, Bob Graham, Arch Graham, Jeff Taylor and Jack Clayman.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 17, 2007, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service or any time at the home of Janice and Doug Duncan, 125 Grandor Street, Bristol, Tenn.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. John Fincher, Dr. Alton Blow, the Wellmont Cancer Treatment Center and Wellmont Hospice Care, especially Kristina Somer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wellmont Hospice c/o Wellmont Foundation, P.O. Box 1069, Kingsport, TN 37662.
