U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
James Matthew Wright
James Matthew Wright, 69, of Wytheville, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Graveside services and interment were held Monday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. at the West End cemetery with the Rev. Leonard Davis officiating.
He was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, a member of the Sheriff's Association, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel S. Wright.
Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law, Jacqueline and James Brown, Catherine Wright, all of Newark, N.J., Cynthia and Walter Scott of Roselle, N.J., and Kisha Simmons of Richmond; two sons, James Matthew Wright Jr. of Irvington, N.J., and Eric Simmons of Richmond; his mother, Fannie Wright of Ivanhoe; a brother, Jeff Harris of Maryland; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to St. Jude Children's Hospital, One St. Jude Place Blvd., P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148-0552.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Geraldine June Bailey
Geraldine June Sisk Bailey of Jacksonville, Fla., formerly of Ivanhoe, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997, at her home in Jacksonville, Fla. after battling cancer.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Ortega United Methodist Church. Burial was at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens, in Jacksonville, Fla.
She was a daughter of the late Gerald "Jerry" and Ansie Bralley Sisk of Ivanhoe. A graduate of Lynchburg College, she taught school for 38 years in Virginia and Florida. She supported drama and music programs, as well as serving as an English department head. She taught many to enjoy music and play the piano. She was a member of Ortega United Methodist Church where she sang in the chancel choir, and was a member of the Lydia Circle. She was also a member of the Venetia Manor Garden Club.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, William F. Bailey, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, William Jr. and Marcie Bailey of Jupiter, Fla.; one daughter, Alice Lynn B. Schrock of Goode; two grandsons, William Bailey III, and Bryan Bailey, both of Jupiter; and three sisters, Alice Sisk Hadlock of Lynchburg, Paddy Sisk Ratcliffe of Pulaski, and Barbara Sisk of Lynchburg.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make donations to Jeb Stuart Middle School Music Program, in care of Carol Daniel, Principal, 4815 Wesconnett Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32210; or Ortega United Methodist Church Choir, 4807 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210.
Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery and Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Irene Crabtree Gregory
Irene Crabtree Gregory, 90, of Rocky Gap, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997, in Kegley Manor in Bastian.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. at the Rocky Gap United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ancil Overbey and the Rev. Kevin Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, W.Va.
Born in Bland County, she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Lula Davis Crabtree. She was a member of the Rocky Gap United Methodist Church and the U.M.W.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Trubie R. Gregory; and a brother, Bill Crabtree.
Survivors include eight children and spouses, Trubie R. Jr. and Marie Gregory of Roanoke, Alma and Thomas Stowers of Bluefield, Shirley and Edwin Sutphin of Rocky Gap, Jean King of Cleveland, Tenn., Billy and Sue Gregory, Donald and Rita Gregory, Oren and Janet Gregory, and Jimmy and Pauline Gregory, all of Elyria, Ohio; 26 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the Rocky Gap United Methodist Church Building Fund or Organ Project, P.O. Box 68, Rocky Gap, VA 24366.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Caroline C. Huddle Guild
Caroline Crittenden Huddle Guild died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1997, at a nursing facility in Louisville, Ky.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Arch Heady and Sons Funeral Home in Louisville. Interment was in the Cave Hill cemetery.
She was born July 18, 1922, in Clifton Forge, the daughter of the late David Nicholas and Lilla Marie Cooke Huddle. During the time that she resided in the Huddle Community of Wythe County, she attended elementary school at the Huddle Grade School (now the Huddle Community Center) where her mother was the principal, and the Huddle Memorial United Methodist Church with Mary Margaret Umberger Groseclose as her teacher. A graduate of Longwood College in Farmville, she was employed for 30 years by the Louisville, Ky., School System until she was incapacitated in 1987 by a stroke. Since then she had resided in a nursing facility.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a twin sister, Lilla Welsh Huddle; her maternal grandparents, John Gordon and Caroline Crittenden Cooke of Clifton Forge; her paternal grandparents, Robert Edward Lee and Lily Welsh Huddle; several aunts and uncles including Lillian Huddle Groseclose, Mary Margaret Huddle Wynne, and Robert Edward Lee Huddle Jr., all of the Huddle community.
Survivors include her husband of over 50 years, Alan Courtney Guild; two sons, Alan Courtney Guild Jr., and David Huddle Guild; five grandchildren, all of Louisville, Ky.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy Lee Huddle and Judge Barnard Fulton Jennings of Fairfax, and Roberta Lee "Bobbe" Huddle and Fred Huntt of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a niece, Patricia Lee Jennings Kincheloe of Fairfax; and a large number of relatives and friends who reside in Wythe, Grayson and Floyd counties.
The Arch Heady and Sons Funeral Home of Louisville, Ky. was in charge of the arrangements.
Catherine Vaught Hagee
Catherine Vaught Hagee, 74, of Galax, formerly of Wytheville, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997, in a Martinsville hospital.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. in the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Aubrey Whitlow. Interment will follow in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm H. Hagee.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Kathy H. and Charlie Farmer of Ridgeway; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gordon H. and Mary Hagee of Reidsville, N.C., Bobby M. and Eva Hagee of Shrewsbury, Pa.; five sisters, Alene V. Hash of Elk Creek, Mattie V. Wingate of Crockett, Lois V. Lyons of Fork, Md., Annie V. Carter of Bel Air, Md., and Peggy V. Eckel of Fredericksburg; six brothers, Robert Vaught, Lawrence Vaught, both of Elk Creek, Ted Vaught of Independence, Dan Vaught of Atkins, David Vaught, and Lester Vaught, both of Galax; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of MAHMHC, P.O. Box 4788, Martinsville, VA 24115 or to the charity of your choice.
The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Bobby Wayne Blankenship
Bobby Wayne Blankenship, 37, of Wytheville, died Friday, Dec. 19, 1997.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 2 p.m. in the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Pastor Amy Oehlschlaeger. Interment will be in the St. Luke's Lutheran cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robinette Brown "R.B." Blankenship Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbi Tolley Blankenship of Rural Retreat; his mother, Shirley Blankenship of Wytheville; a daughter, Tasha Blankenship of Wytheville; a sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Eddie Richardson of Wytheville; stepchildren, Jessica Reffitt, Ricci Reffitt, Carly Robinson, and Kate Robinson, all of Rural Retreat; and step-granddaughter, Beth Reffitt of Rural Retreat.
The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
Doris Mutter Bralley
Doris Mutter Bralley, 65, of Salem, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, Salem, with the Rev. Wayne McCauley officiating. Graveside service was held Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Odd Fellows cemetery in Ivanhoe.
She was retired from the City of Salem as Deputy Commissioner of Revenue after 33 years of service. She was a member of West Salem Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Myrtle Mutter.
Survivors include her husband, Edward M. "Mickey" Bralley; a son, Blaine Allen Bailey; stepdaughters and their husbands, Vickie and Bobby Obenchain, and Patricia and Timothy Jobe of Salem; a brother, Price Mutter of Roanoke; two sisters, Frances Price and Nelda Holland, both of Salem; and one grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Fort Lewis Rescue Squad.
John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem and Reese Funeral Home in Austinville were in charge of the arrangements.
Frederick William Fellner
Frederick William Fellner, 76, of Route 3, Dublin, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at his residence.
Memorial mass was held Monday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Vin Ilano officiating.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., a son of the late Ludwig and Tina Lutjen Fellner. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wytheville, a member of the Holy Name Society in New York, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, a member of the V.F.W. and a retired lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife, Joan S. Fellner; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ruth and Dennis Rice of Raleigh, N.C., and Deborah and Fernando Espinel of Spotsylvania; two sons and daughter-in-law, Frederick Charles and Josephine Fellner of Huntington, Long Island, N.Y., and Richard George Fellner of Amityville, Long Island, N.Y.; one sister, Adele Berg of Hendersonville, N.C.; two brothers, Adolf Fellner of Little Rock, Ark., and John Fellner of Hendersonville, N.C.; and three grandchildren.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
Roy Ralph Hall
Roy Ralph "Cork" Hall, 63, of Cheverly, Md., formerly of Wythe County, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in Prince Georges Hospital.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 3 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Martti Saarinen officiating. Interment followed in the Fairview United Methodist Church cemetery in Ivanhoe.
He was born in Wythe County, a son of the late Clifford Lynn and Beulah Crigger Hall. He was a retired employee of Asplundh Tree Experts and was a member of the I.B.E.W. Local No. 70.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Groseclose Hall; three daughters and son-in-law, Vicky Groseclose Petty, Jeri Lee Clements, both of Wytheville, and Margo and John Snyder of Wytheville and Newport News; three sons and daughter-in-law, Larry and Bonnie Groseclose of Wytheville, Roy Len Hall, and Gregory Ralph Hall, both of Cheverly, Md.; eight grandchildren, Paul Groseclose, Alana Hancock, Tracie Gamble, Gregory Hall Jr., Carri Hall, Shandi Fields, Robert "Bobby" Clements, and Emily Snyder; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Owens of Rural Retreat, and Gloria Campbell of Galax; and three brothers, James Hall of Greenbelt, Md., Joseph Hall of Ellicott City, Md., and Clifford Hall of Lusby, Md.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
John Lee Melton
John Lee Melton, 77, of Route 2, Max Meadows, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salem.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. at the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Rev. Carl J. White and Thomas R. Stone officiating. Interment followed in the West End cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard, Ft. Lee.
Born Aug. 23, 1920 in McDowell County, W.Va., he served in the U.S. Army for 30 years and retired as a sergeant major in 1971. He then worked on his farm in Wythe County. He was a veteran of World War II as a rifleman in Germany and France with the 70th Infantry Division. He also served overseas in Japan, Eniwetok, Korea, and Vietnam. He received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Coker College in 1970.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd O. "Pat" and Lacy Runyon Melton; his wife, Ruth Ogle Melton; and his second grandson, Michael Arthur Barbour.
Survivors include two daughters and son-in-law, Joanne M. and Julian A. "Sandy" Barbour of Roanoke, and Betty M. Blair of Dublin; four grandchildren, Frederick G. Blair Jr. of Dawsonville, Ga., David B. Barbour of Roanoke, Mickey C. Blair of Dublin, and Suzanne B. Wolfe of Roanoke; two great-grandchildren, Kayla and Courtney Blair of Dawsonville, Ga.; two sisters, Doris M. White and Reba M. Stone, both of Max Meadows; and three brothers, Howard L. Melton of Hillsville, Alfred P. Melton of Max Meadows, and James G. Melton of Kingsport, Tenn.
The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the Lead Mines Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 502, Austinville, VA 24312, or Bethany United Methodist Church, c/o John R. "Bob" Dean, Whispering Pines, Max Meadows, VA 24360.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville was in charge of the arrangements.
Harold James Breedlove
Harold James Breedlove, 75, of Salem, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1997, at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem.
Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 26, at 1 p.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate, with the Rev. William A. Davis Jr. and the Rev. Frank Clifton officiating. Burial was in the Mechanicsburg cemetery, Mechanicsburg.
He was born Feb. 18, 1922, in Russell County, a son of the late Alden and Lillian Sword Breedlove. He was a retired farmer and was owner of the Phillips 66 Services Station, Salem.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Stump.
Survivors include his wife, Blanche Mustard Breedlove; two sons, James L. Breedlove and William A. Breedlove, both of Salem; two brothers, Lloyd W. "Bill" Breedlove of Mechanicsburg and Charles K. Breedlove of Greenville; three sisters, Ella Mae Fanning of Greenville, Margaret French of Narrows, and Mary Ann Bird of Rocky Gap; three grandchildren, Melissa Wills and Jill Maggi, both of Salem, and William A. Breedlove Jr. of Richmond; and one great-granddaughter, Jennifer Wills of Salem.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Salem Rescue Squad, Central United Methodist Church Building Fund, Salem or Byrnes Chapel United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg.
A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in White Gate was in charge of the arrangements.
Anna Blanche Vipperman
Anna Blanche Vipperman, 67, of Wytheville, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home Chapel in Wytheville with the Rev. Stephen Tilley and the Rev. Thomas Bunting officiating. Interment will follow in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat.
She was born in Smyth County, a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson Vipperman and Eva Mary Schneider Vipperman.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Agnes Sluder, Fern Louise Vipperman and Crystal Marie Vipperman.
Survivors include four sisters, Luella Authenrieth of Rural Retreat, Virgie Whitley of Harve de Grace, Md., Ruby Cook and Myrtle Zellman, both of Bel Aire, Md.; two brothers, Louis Vipperman of Rural Retreat and William Clarence Vipperman of Dalzell, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
