U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Beulah Elkins Fields
Beulah Elkins Fields, 91, of Richlands, died April 10, 2004 at Russell County Medical Center at Lebanon.
Born in Russell Co., she was the last earthly member of the immediate family of her parents, the late James F. and Mary Jane Horton Elkins.
She was a faithful member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church at Richlands.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James (Kelly) Fields; two sisters, Oakley West and Ada Brown; and two brothers, Grant Elkins and Paul Elkins.
Survivors: several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted April 13 at 11 a.m. at the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands with Rev. Jim Denton and Rev. Stafford Compton officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens cemetery at Claypool Hill.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff was in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Minnie Hicks
Ethel Minnie Hicks, 93, of Wytheville, formerly of Newhall, WV, went to be with her Lord April 10, 2004.
Born in Dickenson County, she was a daughter of the late Joe and Kate Puckett Bailey.
She was a member of the Berwind Revival Center at Berwind, WV.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Gray Hicks; one daughter, Georgia Perkins; one son, Clayton Gray Hicks, Jr.; three sisters, Thelma Little, Ruth Cook, and Gladys Huffman; and two brothers, Allen Bailey and Luther Bailey.
Survivors: daughters, Gaynell Whitt and husband, Doug, of Wytheville, with whom she made her home, Goldie Crawford of St. Paul, Gracie Hicks and husband, Merton, of Wytheville, Gladys Hicks and husband, Arvil, of Newhall; brother, Ellis Bailey of St. Paul; 33 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and ten great- great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted April 14 at 1 p.m. at the Berwind Revival Center in Berwind, WV, with the Rev. Kathleen Stanley and the Rev. Wilmer Muncy officiating.
Burial will follow at the Hartwell cemetery in Hartwell, WV.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell is in charge of arrangements.
Don Kirk
Don Kirk, 74, of North Tazewell, formerly of Berwind, WV, died April 7, 2004 at his home.
Born at Berwind, he was a son of the late Laben and Jesse Collins Kirk.
He was retired from the United States Air Force and was a member of the Tazewell Moose Lodge No. 168.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Ray Kirk, and one brother, Paul Kirk.
Survivors: sons, Randy Kirk and wife, Deb, of Tennessee, Jeff Kirk and wife, Jennifer, of New York, Jim Kirk of German; daughter, Cathy Wheeler and husband, Ron, of Texas; step-daughters, Penny Eure and husband, Steve, of Georgia, Debbie Harwood and husband, Kevin, of North Carolina; brother, Gene Kirk and wife, Cookie, of Florida; sister, Jo Egan of Florida; sister-in-law, Edith Kirk of Berwind; 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and special friends, Terri and Eddie Dowdy of North Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted April 10 at 8 p.m. in the Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Max Linkous officiating.
Graveside services and burial were conducted April 12 at 2 p.m. at Hartwell cemetery in Hartwell.
Military graveside rites were conducted by members of the Barns-Beavers VFW Post No. 7136 in Tazewell.
Tienestie "Tiny" Duncan Marshall
Tienestie "Tiny" Duncan Marshall, 83, of Bishop, died April 5, 2004 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
She entered our glorious world on November 11, 1920 as the first of six children born to the late Lonnie and Toy Quesenberry Duncan in Indian Valley. She was humbled and honored by surviving the Great Depression and working for numerous families for only five cents a day. She was a patriot as well, raising her first son alone two years through World War II, as her husband was off defending their freedom and country.
She treasured cooking and preparing feast for her kin and countless friends. She was a loyal and dedicated member of the Horsepen Church of Christ, and she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Bishop. She was a farmer’s wife, miner’s wife, and the pillar of her family, ensuring that the family clicked on all cylinders and that no stone went unturned. Her house was known for its bountiful hospitality and generosity; no one ever walked away from it feeling hungry or unhappy. She was widely loved and respected by all, as the spirit of the Appalachians ran through her veins everyday of her abundant life.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin Duncan and Edward Duncan.
Survivors: husband of 63 years, Timothy Marshall; sons, Ancel Marshall and Glenn Marshall, both of Bishop, Verl Marshall of Vienna, WV; daughter, Eva Callahan and husband, Stephen, of Kansas City, KS; brothers, Elisha Duncan and Tison Duncan, and wife, Mallie, all of Horsepen; sister, Zula Bowman of Leesburg; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 9 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Walter Schwitzerlett and Johnny Elmore officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Horsepen Church of Christ, P.O. Box 193, Horsepen, VA 24619 or to the Mountain Mission School, 1 Hurley Road, Grundy, VA 24614.
Mamie S. Messick
Mamie S. Messick, 85, of Raven, died April 9, 2004 in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Sylvester and Mandy Osborne Stilwell, both Buchanan County natives.
She had made her home in the Raven area all her life and was a member of the Fork Ridge House of Prayer in Raven.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Townsel (T.H.) Messick; one son, James (Jim) Messick; stepfather, Ed Osborne; six sisters, Macie Horton, Brassie Webb, Maggie Breedlove, Matilda Osborne, Sally Osborne and Cellie Stilwell; and three brothers, Squire, Charlie and Artemis Stilwell.
Survivors: son, Bill (B.H.) Messick and wife, Jean Barnes Messick, of Richlands; sisters, Oma Osborne and Rosie Davis, both of Raven; grandchildren, Palma Jean Messick of Russell County, Stephanie Lynn Breeding and husband, Jerry, of Radford, Kristin Shea Crowder and husband, Allen, of Salem; and great-granddaughter, Sara McKenna Breeding.
The funeral was conducted April 12 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Eddie Hess officiating.
Interment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
James M. Miller
James Michael Miller, 42, of Swords Creek, died April 8, 2004 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born in Richlands, he was a son of Virginia Louise Barrett Miller and the late James Aulden Miller.
A lifelong resident of the area, he attended the Pine Creek Pole Church.
Additional survivors: wife, Sherri Miller; daughter, Lynessa Jones of Honaker; stepson, T.C. DeWitt of Honaker; sisters, Carol Richardson of Doran, Pam Wolfe of Columbia, SC; brother, Roger Compton of Rosedale; grandchildren, Logyn Crockett and Alexys Jones; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted April 12 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Jess Whited and Rev. Daniel Richardson officiating.
Entombment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum at Lebanon.
Alva G. Perkins
Alva Gene Perkins, 58, of Wysor Valley Road, Honaker, passed from this life into everlasting life, along with his son and grandson, April 10, 2004 from a farm tractor accident at home.
Born August 21, 1945 at Lynn Spring, he was a son of Baxter Perkins of Raven and the late Hazel Dye Perkins, making his stay on this earth 58 years, 7 months and 20 days.
He moved to Wysor Valley, when he was six years old and made it his lifelong home. He was a disabled coal miner, having worked for Clinchfield Coal Company for more than 22 years. He loved working on his farm and taking care of his cattle. He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior on June 1, 2003, the same day his son, Christopher accepted Christ. They were both baptized the next Sunday and joyously served the Lord for ten months. He attended Valley View Free Will Baptist Church in Wysor Valley and Revival Center in Swords Creek.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one son, Christopher Dane Perkins; one grandson, Colton Dane Perkins; and two brothers, Leslie Perkins and Ferrell Perkins.
Additional survivors: wife of 37 years, Janet Osborne Perkins; son, Douglas Perkins of Birmingham, AL; grandsons, Grant Perkins of Chestertown, MD, Devon Mark Perkins of Moneta; granddaughter, Joanie Lynn Perkins of Moneta; sisters, Narcie Dye and Roberta Fields, both of Honaker; brother, Roger Perkins of Honaker; stepmother, Dorothy Perkins of Raven; special brother, who was his sidekick on the farm, Roger Whited; and a host of relatives and friends.
The funeral was conducted April 13 at 1 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Kenneth Taylor, Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Johnny Woodward officiating.
Interment followed in the Perkins cemetery near the home.
Christopher Perkins
Christopher Dane Perkins, 32, of Moneta, passed from this life into everlasting life, along with his father and son, on April 10, 2004 from a farm tractor accident in Honaker.
Born July 16, 1971 in Richlands, he was a son of Janet Osborne Perkins of Honaker and the late Alva Gene Perkins, making his stay on this earth 32 years, 8 months and 24 days. He had lived in the Honaker and Lebanon areas before moving to Moneta three years ago.
He was a 1989 graduate of Honaker High School and attended Southwest Virginia Community College. He was presently employed as a supervisor at Thermo King in Roanoke. He loved hunting and fishing and being with his family. He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior on June 1, 2003, the same day as his father, Alva, accepted Christ. They were both baptized the next Sunday and joyously served the Lord for 10 months. He was a member of the Revival Center at Swords Creek.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one son, Colton Dane Perkins, and his father-in-law, Tommie C. Deel.
Additional survivors: wife of 12 years, Rebecca Deel Perkins; son, Devon Mark Perkins of the home; daughter, Joanie Lynn Perkins of the home; brother, Douglas Perkins of Birmingham, AL; mother-in-law, Cleo Deel of Honaker; brother-in-law and wife, Curtis and Tammy Deel of Moneta; special uncle, Roger Perkins of Honaker; maternal grandparents, James and Betty Osborne of Lebanon; and paternal grandparents, Baxter and Dorothy Perkins of Raven.
The funeral was conducted April 13 at 1 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honaker with Rev. David Perkins and Rev. Steve Perkins officiating.
Interment followed in the Perkins cemetery in Wysor Valley.
Colton D. Perkins
Colton Dane Perkins, 4, of Moneta, passed from this life into everlasting life, along with his father and grandfather on April 10, 2004 from a farm tractor accident in Honaker.
Born July 21, 1999 in Bristol, TN, he was a son of Rebecca Deel Perkins and the late Christopher Dane Perkins.
He loved Jesus and loved going to church. He attended the Revival Center at Swords Creek and loved to quote memory verse to all who would listen. He would have been in the kindergarten class at Moneta Elementary School this fall. He was a very loving and special little boy to all who knew him.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Alva Gene Perkins, and maternal grandfather, Tommie Deel.
Additional survivors: brother, Devon Mark Perkins of the home; sister, Joanie Lynn Perkins of the home; paternal grandmother, Janet Perkins of Honaker; maternal grandmother, Cleo Deel of Honaker; and uncles, Douglas Perkins and Curtis Perkins and his wife, Tammy.
The funeral was conducted April 13 at 1 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honaker with Rev. David Perkins and Rev. Steve Perkins officiating.
Interment followed in the Perkins cemetery in Wysor Valley.
Ruth M. Ratcliffe
Ruth Marie Ratcliffe, 76, of Richlands, died April 7, 2004 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Swords Creek, she was a daughter of the late John H. and Melissa Jane Robinson Boyd, both Russell County natives.
She had made her home in the Richlands area most of her life and was former owner and operator of the Vanity Beauty Shop for 39 years. She was a very active supporter and worker for the Richlands Food Pantry, the Tri-County Health Clinic and her Rook Club. She was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church and an active member of Circle #3 and Vacation Bible School. She was a kind and caring person and when in her presence could always make you laugh.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, D. C. "Ikey" Ratcliffe; two sisters, Joella Kerley and Agnes Hess; and one brother, Winfred Boyd.
Survivors: son, Otis Johnson of Orlando, FL; stepdaughters, Nadine Rockey of Abingdon, June Strachen of Clearwater, FL; granddaughters, Mrs. Britt Ravenberg and Mrs. Ingrid McNulty; four step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; special niece and caregiver, Faye Richardson; sisters, Zelma Fackovetz of Coram, NY, Janie Peterson of Suffolk, Alice Plaster of Uniontown, OH, Pauline Tuminilla of Owings Mills, MD, Ruby Dye of Cedar Bluff, Nancy Wilson of Raven; and brothers, Clarence Boyd of Swords Creek, Glen Boyd and George Boyd of Mansfield, OH, James Boyd of Lanexa, and Danny Ball of Abingdon.
The funeral was conducted April 10 at 1 p.m. in the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Eddie Nash, Rev. Bill McDaniel and Rev. Barry Absher officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richlands Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 446, Richlands, VA 24641.
