U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Gertrude Jett Saunders
(December 12, 1939 - April 21, 2011)
Gertrude Jett Saunders, of Reedville died on Thursday, April 21, 2011. She was the daughter of the late Wilton Mitchell Sr. and Viola Ficklin Jett and was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Jett Walter.
Surviving are her husband of 49 years, Robert Maurice Saunders; daughters, Penny Saunders Carmichael and husband, Thomas of Stafford, Holly Saunders Sadler and husband, Ernie of Heathsville; grandchildren, Laura Marie Carmichael, Zoie Ann and Benjamin Seth Sadler; brothers, Thomas Jett, Jimmie Jett, Mitchell Jett, Jr. Raymond Lee Jett, Wallace Jett and John Jett.
Graveside services will be 12:00 Noon Saturday, April 23 at Roseland cemetery, Reedville.
Margaret Webb McKenney
(October 4, 1917 - April 21, 2011)
Margaret Webb McKenney, 93, of Kilmarnock died April 21, 2011 while under the loving care of the nursing staff at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years William Meredith McKenney and her parents Emory and Jenny Webb. Mrs. McKenney was an active and lifelong member of Kilmarnock Baptist Church and retired in 1982 from Hubbard Insurance in Kilmarnock with 47 years service. Mrs. McKenney was a member of the Kilmarnock Garden Club for 29 years and supported her husband for several decades in his work in the Lancaster County Lions Club.
Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jim and Joan McKenney of Manakin Sabot; two grandchildren, Tom McKenney and wife, Kim; Kristen Sale and husband, Chuck; three great grandchildren, Chase and Caroline Sale and Kyle McKenney all of Richmond. She was preceded in death by her brother, E. J. Webb, Jr.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 at Kilmarnock Baptist Church, Kilmarnock with Rev. Matthew Tennant officiating. Interment will be in Clifton Ridge cemetery, Kilmarnock. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers are Thomas M. McKenney, Charles L. Sale, III, John Webb, Daniel Webb, Brian Webb and Jordan Webb.
Memorials may be made to Kilmarnock Baptist Church, P. 0. Box 99, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Jeanne Baird Mellefont
(June 16, 1918 - April 27, 2011)
Jeanne Baird Mellefont, 93, of Irvington died on April 27, 2011. She was the widow of Robert Vanorder Mellefont and a retired executive secretary for the American Chemical Society. Mrs. Mellefont was a U. S. Navy World War II veteran, past president of The Presbyterian Home, member of the Eastern Star and involved in many charitable organizations.
Surviving are a step daughter, Linda M. Gill and husband, Michael of Pompano Beach, Fla.; a step sister, Shelia Magerkurth of Rock Island, Illinois.
Services will be private.
John Paul Conwell Hanbury
(March 16, 1934 - April 28, 2011)
John Paul Conwell Hanbury, 76, of Irvington, Va. died April 28, 2011 from surgical complications from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. His beloved wife, Elaine Overcash Hanbury, was at his side. A thirteenth generation Virginian, he was the second son of the late Blanche Conwell and Euclid Murden Hanbury of Portsmouth, Va. His elder brother, Dr. Euclid Murden Hanbury, Jr, predeceased him, as did his parents.
He received his architectural education at the University of Virginia where he served as vice president of the student Council. He was a member of the ATO social fraternity, ODK leadership fraternity, TILKA, and the Raven Society. Upon graduation, he served in the US Naval Reserve and following military service, returned to his native Portsmouth and the practice of architecture in Norfolk. He was the founding partner of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas, a national and internationally recognized architectural and planning firm specializing in college and university work with a concentration in historic preservation.
Passionate about saving historic structures, John Paul was largely responsible for the preservation of Portsmouth's Olde Towne and the restoration of significant structures therein including Trinity Church, and the adaptive reuse of the 1846 Portsmouth Court House, and the Seaboard Airline Railway Station. He was very involved in his Church, Trinity Episcopal, and served oft time as vestryman and warden as well as trustee. He served Portsmouth's architectural review board and as the founder and first chairman of that city's fine arts commission. In 1985 he was selected as Portsmouth's First Citizen.
In Norfolk he directed the restoration of the 1913 Wells Theatre and the 1850 Freemason Street Baptist Church. He was equally passionate about the arts and was president of the Norfolk Symphony and effecting its merger with the Peninsula Symphony to become the Virginia Symphony. He was the first president of the Cultural Alliance of Hampton Roads and its forerunner, the Metropolitan Arts Congress. He was involved in the formation of the Business Consortium for the Arts and for many years chaired its allocation committee.
Hanbury was the recipient of numerous design awards and in recognition of his service to the architectural profession. He was awarded the Noland Award, the highest award given by the American Institute of Architects in Virginia. He was elected in 1993 to the National College of Fellows of the National Institution. In Richmond he directed the complete restoration of the 1813 Virginia Executive Mansion as well as the restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1919 Branch House as the Virginia Center for Architecture.
He was married
in 1998 to Elaine Overcash, and they spent their honeymoon in Italy. In their years together they traveled extensively in Asia. Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe, returning often to their favorite places — Venice and Nevis.
Leaving active practice, Hanbury retired to his home near Irvington and became involved in the community life of the Northern Neck, serving on the boards of Historic Christ Church and Chesapeake Academy. He was a vestryman at Grace Episcopal Church and served as junior and senior warden. He was elected Trustee Emeritus of Randolph-Macon Woman's College, now Randolph College, which he served for ten years as a trustee.
He was descended from the first colonists in former Princess Anne and Norfolk Counties and Virginia's Eastern Shore including Adam Thoroughgood and was a member of the Order of First Families of Virginia, the Jamestown Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the National Huguenot Society.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Randall Harrison and James Austin Perdew of Overland Park, Kansas, Lucy Levering and Stewart Allen Moneymaker of Palmyra, Va., and Mary Ruffin Hanbury and John Francis Oates, Jr. of Raleigh, N.C., as well as six grandchildren, Harrison Austin Perdew. Charlotte Conwell Philip, James Nathaniel Perdew, Courtney Alexander Johnson, Talbott Denmead Johnson, and John Francis Oates, Ill. He is also survived by his wife's three children: Tracy Overcash Brew, Courtney Overcash Kilpatrick, and William Earl Overcash, III and by his cousin and best friend, Ann Hanbury Callis. Also left to mourn his loss are his two beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Sophie and Camilla, his constant companions.
Funeral services at Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock, Va. to celebrate John Paul's life with Holy Eucharist will be Tuesday, May 10 at 2 pm with internment at the burying ground of Historic Christ Church.
The family requests that there be absolutely no flowers but encourages memorial contributions to the Grace Trust, P.O. Box 1059, Kilmarnock, VA, 22482-1059, Lee's Friends, 7400 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23505, Randolph College, 2500 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503, the local Hospice, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Currie Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Joseph Leo Rogers
(March 9, 1926 - April 30, 2011)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joseph Leo Rogers on April 30, 2011 and with great pride that we share and celebrate the accomplishments of his inspiring 85-year journey.
Joseph Leo Rogers, known as Leo, Dad, and Pops to friends and family, was born March 9, 1926 to Mary Willa and Eugene Rogers in Alexandria, VA. The youngest of seven children, he understood the strength and importance of family early in his life. He grew up in Northern Virginia, and in 1943 left high school during his senior year to serve his country in the US Navy. He spent three years with the WWII Pacific Fleet aboard the USS Register. In 1946 he returned to Virginia and displaying the spirit of determination that he held throughout his long life, returned to graduate from Mount Vernon High School in 1947.
Leo was the 15th officer accepted into the Fairfax County Police Department on July 1, 1948. On May 6, 1950, he married
his high school sweetheart, Delores Blunt. He was known as the man who could fix anything and he used his handyman skills throughout his life to support his family and contribute to his community. With determination to succeed and provide, Leo achieved an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and moved on to work with the Federal Government at the US Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command at Fort Belvoir, VA. He remained there until 1979, raising three sons: Kenny, Kevin, and Greg. After spending several years operating LeDel Construction in Fredericksburg, VA, Leo and his wife moved to White Stone, VA, where he would spend the remainder of his life.
Leo became an active member of his community and spent many years contributing to the restoration and preservation of Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern in Heathsville, VA. At this historic site, Leo helped reconstruct the centuries-old hotel, tavern, and blacksmith shop. He sponsored a collection of heritage carriages and personally restored a Doctor’s Buggy and Utility Wagon. Leo was honored by having the carriage house named after him, “Leo’s Livery.” In addition to the work he did in Heathsville, Leo is known for his family's annual fireworks display, which lights up the sky every 4th of July and draws crowds—by land and sea—from the surrounding areas.
Leo is survived by his wife of 60 years, Delores Rogers, his three sons and their wives: Ken and Darlee Rogers of Winston-Salem, NC, Kevin and Cindy Rogers of Richmond, VA and Greg and Cindy Rogers of Fort Mill, SC, as well as grandchildren Ben and wife Rikki, Amanda, Katelyn, Ryan, and Kaleigh, sister Lucy Rogers, nieces Lois Woodward and Betty Nester, brother-in-laws and their wives: Kenneth and Lucille Blunt and Jack and Janet Blunt.
In his final days, Leo continued to show the courage, strength, and sense of humor that his family cherished. He told a visitor and lifelong friend, smiling, “I'm going to see my mom.”
His family will receive friends at Currie Funeral Home, 116 East Church Street, Kilmarnock, VA on Friday, May 6, 2011. Viewing will be from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service from 7:00 - 8:00p.m. There will be a funeral mass at Saint Francis De Sales Catholic Church, 154 East Church Street, Kilmarnock, VA on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 9:30 am followed by internment with military honors, at Mount Comfort cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you make a donation in his name to Rice’s Hotel / Hughlett’s Tavern Foundation, Inc. “Leo’s Livery” PO Box 579, Heathsville, VA 22473.
George F. Bryant
(January 3, 1931 - April 23, 2011)
George F. Bryant passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 80 years of age at Capital Caring Hospice in Arlington, Virginia due to pneumonia preceded by a long struggle with throat cancer. He was born in Olney, Illinois on January 3rd, 1931 and spent most of his formative years in Larchmont, New York. Mr. Bryant graduated from The Choate School in 1949, Williams College 1953 and received a Masters in Petroleum Geology from Texas A&M; in 1958. After graduating from A&M;, he was a lieutenant in the United States Air Force. During his time as a petroleum geologist with Amoseas and Texaco, Mr. Bryant lived and worked in Turkey; Libya; Western Sahara; Canary Islands; Australia; Papua New Guinea, Midland, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana and settled in Rye, New York from 1977 to 1999. He later worked as head of International Oil Exploration for Amerada Hess Corp and then consulted for Caithness Corp. He retired to White Stone, Virginia in 1999 and to Vero Beach, Florida in 2008.
George loved history, music, sailing and serving as Commodore of the American Yacht Club in Rye, New York. He was also a member of MOAA.
Mr. Bryant is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Archer Bryant; his son, George F. Bryant, Jr. of Rye, NY; his daughter Katherine B. Lynch of McLean, Virginia and five grandchildren. There will be a memorial service to celebrate his life at Historic Christ Church, Irvington, Virginia on Saturday, May 28th, 2011 at 11AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Historic Christ Church, P.O. Box 24, Irvington, VA 22480 or to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, LCCC Development Office, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4000, Washington, D.C. 20007.
Isla Mae Barrack
(March 18, 1917 - May 5, 2011)
Isla Mae Barrack, 94, of Irvington died peacefully at the Lancashire Nursing Home on May 5, 2011. She was the widow of Lee R. Barrack and a lifelong member of Irvington United Methodist Church, Irvington.
Surviving are two daughters, Virginia M. Knudsen of Glen Allen and Jean B. Simmons and husband, Andrew of Kilmarnock; a son, Roy B. Barrack of Colonial Heights; four grandchildren, Stewart A. Simmons of Charlotte, N. C., Stephen Simmons of Kilmarnock, David A. Knudson of Glen Allen and Alexa Perkinson of Colonial Heights; three great grandchildren, Victoria A., Andrew J. and Parker Lee Simmons, Barnett Knudsen and Carter Perkinson.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 9 at Irvington United Methodist Church, Irvington with Rev. Charles Dameron officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call 6 – 8 p.m. Sunday at the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock.
Memorials may be made to Irvington United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 178, Irvington, VA 22480.
Ada Katherine Kelley Hudnall
(November 24, 1913 - May 14, 2011)
Ada Katherine Kelley Hudnall, 97, of Kilmarnock died on May 14, 2011. She was the widow of Alfred Armstead “Nick” Hudnall, Sr. and daughter of the late John William and Mary Gertrude Hurst Kelley. Mrs. Hudnall was a Lancaster County school teacher for 35 years.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Alfred A. Jr. and Deborah Dallas Hudnall of North Carolina, John Palmer and Sandra Harper Hudnall of Mechanicsville; four grandchildren, Kelley E. Hudnall, John Palmer Jr. and wife, Maria Lovell Hudnall, Andrea Hudnall and husband, Robert Glen Kish and William Armstead Hudnall; six great grandchildren, John P. III, Justin and Joseph Hudnall, Alisabeth, Andrew and Jordan Kish.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock with Rev. Ray Massie officiating. Interment will be in Historic Christ Church cemetery, Irvington. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Bluff Point United Methodist Church, 77 Kent Cove Road, Kilmarnock 22482 or Northumberland Historical Society, P. O. Box 221, Heathsville 22473.
Bettie Dameron Sisson
(April 11, 1937 - May 22, 2011)
Mrs. Bettie Dameron Sisson, 74, of Mila, died Sunday May 22, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Edwin A. Sisson, Sr.; one son, Edwin “Andy” Sisson, Jr. of Mila; two daughters, Lynne S. Haynie and her husband, Russell, of Fleeton and Suzanne S. Caron of Va.Beach, Va.; five grandchildren, Matthew, Angie and Josh Caron and Sarah and David Haynie; two step grandchildren; Whitney and Taylor Caron; one sister, Virginia M. Dameron of Richmond; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert Charles and Barbara Dameron of Mila; sister-in-law, Reba S. Haynie and her husband, Cecil of Reedville; brother-in-law James L. Sisson, Jr. and his wife, Janet, of Cambridge, Maryland, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 25, at 2p.m.at the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock, with Rev.Donna Blythe and Rev. Charles Dameron officiating. Interment will be in the Mila Community cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Dr., Va. Beach, Va., 23452 or to a charity of your choice.
Zoe Elizabeth Nelson Stancer
(July 1, 1908 - May 20, 2011)
Zoe Elizabeth Nelson Stancer, of Irvington, The beloved Mother of Janet Van Saun Mosher passed away in her home on May 20, just 5 weeks short of her 103rd birthday.
Zoe was born in Yates Center, Kansas, on July 1, 1908, the second child of Charles and Georgia Silvey Nelson. She married
Glenn Ralph Stancer in Wichita, and they married
in 1929. The intrigue of life in California took them to a new home and jobs in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Stancer was a graduate of Wichita High School and Wichita Business College.
Zoe gave birth to two children, Janet Phan in 1941, and Richard Glenn in 1942. The family moved to Long Beach, California in 1948, where the children grew up. Zoe was a devoted Mother and supporter of her children’s activities, including scouting and PTA, and also had a career with Sears & Roebuck, in accounting.
Glenn was well known in Wichita, Los Angeles and Long Beach sport circles, coaching AA teams in baseball on the weekends for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. After Glenn’s death in 1978, Zoe traveled abroad, and followed her Janet’s family, residing in Hawaii, Annapolis, San Diego, and Irvington. She has resided in Irvington with her daughter, Janet, and son-in-law Norm Mosher since 1998.
Richard predeceased Zoe in 1990. Zoe has four grandchildren: Roderic Arthur Van Saun and wife Kate, of Ninilchik, AK; Elizabeth June Snyder and husband Brett, of Lillington, NC; Samantha C. Van Saun of Virginia Beach, VA; Zoella Burkhead and husband Ian, of Quincy, CA. Great-grandchildren are Timothy Caudle, William Cash Burkhead, Anastasia and Victoria Snyder. She also leaves her devoted friend, Vivian Erickson Price, and her dedicated caregiver, Frances Beale.
There was sunshine in every day of her life, and she eagerly shared life’s blessings through her positive outlook, with all who knew her. In her last years, she especially enjoyed “her” birds and the company of the family’s dogs. A life so complete and full can only be celebrated with thanks and grace. God is good--all the time.
The Honorable Dixon L. Foster
(March 4, 1923 - August 31, 2011)
The Honorable Dixon L. Foster, of Irvington, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Born in Williamsburg, Virginia on March 4, 1923, he was the son of the late Merritt W. Foster and Nancy Oliver Foster and spent the summers of his youth in Irvington. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his two older brothers, Dr. Merritt W. Foster, Jr. and H. Oliver Foster.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Nancy Norris Foster; their children, Katherine F. Muller and husband John of Irvington, Nancy F. Bennett and husband, Frank of Poland, Ohio, R. Dixon Foster of Kilmarnock; and their five grandchildren: Sarah M. Turnbull and husband, Ned, J. Lewis Muller, Jr., W. Dixon Muller, Caroline K. Bennett, and Franklin S. Bennett, III. Judge Foster was also lovingly cared for by friends, Dolores Seldon and Elane Henry.
Judge Foster was a graduate of The College of William and Mary and The Marshall-Wythe School of Law. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, he came to the Northern Neck to practice law with his father-in-law, Senator Robert O. Norris, Jr. In 1967, he was appointed as a Judge in the Circuit Court of Virginia, a position he held for 21 years. Judge Foster served as President of Chesapeake Bank of Lively prior to the merger with Lancaster National Bank presently Chesapeake Bank.
Judge Foster served as President of the Northern Neck Bar Association, William and Mary Alumni Association, and was a recipient of the William and Mary Alumni Medallion. A lifelong Baptist, he was a member of Irvington Baptist Church for over 50 years, serving as Sunday School teacher and Life Deacon. He was past President of the Lancaster County Lions Club, a charter member of Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club, and a member of the 55 Golf Association. Known to many as “The Singing Judge, ” he enjoyed entertaining on numerous occasions with his ukulele and was a faithful member of The Northern Neck Bay Tones.
Memorial services will be held 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 4 at Irvington Baptist Church, Irvington. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Irvington Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 417, Irvington, Va. 22480 or The College of William and Mary Foundation Endowment, in memory of Dixon L. Foster, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, Va. 23187
William "Bill" George Smith
(August 14, 1966 - August 30, 2011)
William “Bill” George Smith, 45, of Kilmarnock died on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. He was the owner and operator of TSL, Inc. Excavating Company.
Surviving are his wife, Martha Crandall Smith; three children, William Karas Smith, Karla Grace Smith and William S. Riley; his parents, Daniel F. Sr. and M. Marie Smith of South Port, N. C.; a sister, Elizabeth Anderson and husband Joe of Hawaii; four brothers, Daniel Smith of South Port, N.C., Will Smith of Houston, Texas, Anthony Karas, Palm Coast, Florida, William Joseph Karas of Ocala, Florida; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leroy and Marianette Crandall; brother-in-law, Tyler L. Crandall all of White Stone; grandparents-in-law, Jean and Russell Chubb of Kilmarnock; grandfather-in-law, Curtis M. Haywood of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by his father, William George Karas, II.
Memorial services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 3 at the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock.
Memorials may be made to the W. Karas and Karla G. Smith Trust Fund, Wells Fargo Advisors, P. O. Box 1688, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
