U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Joan Kathryn Hagerman
Joan Kathryn Hagerman, 62, of Roanoke, died Mar. 8, 2006 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born in Glendale, CA. She was a kind and gentle woman with great compassion and generosity toward others. She was active in community affairs, volunteering her time over the years to PTA, the Alzheimer’s Association and various charitable walks. She passed with her family by her side.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Cummings, and her stepfather, Calvin Drake.
Survivors: her beloved husband of 39 years, Bill W. Hagerman; daughter, Megan Ann Hagerman; mother, Ann Drake; sister, Diane Cummings of Fountain Hills, AZ; nephew, Scott Trammel of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Madeline Lafferty of Melbourne, FL; brother-in-law, Jack Hagerman of Bluefield, VA; and numerous nieces and other nephews.
A celebration of her life was conducted Mar. 10 at 10 a.m. at Simpson Funeral Home.
Interment followed in Sherwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to: the Alzheimer’s Association of western Virginia, the American Cancer Society or Gentle Shepherd Hospice.
James Harman, Jr.
James William Harman, Jr., 83, of Tazewell, died Mar. 10, 2006 at a Bluefield, WV, hospital.
He was a well known attorney from a family of attorneys dating from 1883 in Tazewell.
Born Sept. 29, 1922, he was a son of the late James William Harman and Coralie Laird Harman of Tazewell.
He graduated from Washington and Lee University and School of Law in 1949, practiced law with his father until his father’s death in 1970. He served in World War II in Africa and Europe with the United States Army, and was a Life Member of the American Legion.
Formerly married
to Evelyn Herring Harman in 1949, their two sons are James W. Harman, III of Burke’s Garden, and Johnathan Herring Harman of Bluefield, WV. He was Commonwealth’s Attorney for Tazewell County from 1952 to 1955, and was Mayor of Tazewell from 1961 to 1966.
He was instrumental in uniting North Tazewell and Tazewell, obtaining new water and sewerage facilities for the town, and was the first chairman of the Board of the Tazewell Community Hospital and instrumental in securing the hospital’s financing and construction.
A member of the Tazewell County Rotary Club, he served as its President in 1962. He received the Paul Harris Award in recognition of his many community accomplishments. He belonged to the Stras Memorial Episcopal Church of Tazewell.
Survivors: life companion, Evelyn Herring Harman; sons, James W. Harman, III of Burkes Garden, Johnathan Herring Harman and wife, Patricia, of Bluefield, WV; granddaughters, Anne Elizabeth Harman and Mary Margaret Harman of Bluefield, WV; brother, S. Laird Harman of Riner; niece, Nancy Christiana Harman; and nephew, Allen Jefferson Harman.
At the request of the family, services will be private.
Burial will be at Maplewood cemetery in Tazewell.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Historic Crab Orchard Museum, Rt. 1 Box 194, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell is serving the Harman family.
Ethel Mae Herndon
Ethel Mae Hubbard Herndon, 87, of the Lewis Creek section of Honaker, died Mar. 6, 2006 at her home.
Born May 9, 1918 in Honaker, she was a daughter of the late Benton and Odessa Dotson Hubbard.
She was a lifelong resident of the area and was of the Methodist faith. She had worked for over 20 years in several area sewing factories.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Jeanette Herndon; one granddaughter, Karla Herndon; three sisters, Gaynell Knaus, Nannie Maxey, and Elizabeth Cook; one brother, Bill Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: husband of 70 years, Russell T. Herndon; sons and daughters-in-law, Russell Lee and Judy Herndon of Honaker, Jim and Martha Herndon of Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and Don Owens of Honaker; grandchildren, Kim Dunham and husband, Stan, of Saltville, Rusty Herndon and wife, Robin, of Rosedale, Terry Herndon and wife, Jessie, of High Point, NC, Monty Herndon and wife, Kim, of Whitsett, NC, Serena Lane and husband, Matthew, of Richlands; great-grandchildren, Marcus Dunham, Karlee Dunham, Tori Herndon, Lexie Herndon, Alisha Herndon, Emmalee Herndon, and Brittney Herndon; and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Gary Sizemore, Telina Sizemore, Emily Sizemore, Larry Sizemore, Vicki Sizemore, Logan Sizemore, Dalton Sizemore, Randy Sizemore, Sarah Sizemore, Jeremy Sizemore, and Brianna Sizemore, Tracy Owens, Tony Owens, Neil Owens, and Carol Owens.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 9 in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel at Claypool Hill with Rev. Vonley Pruitt and Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Entombment followed.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Monette Hess
Monette Hess, 64, of Honaker, died Mar. 10, 2006 in the Veterans Hospital at Mountain Home, TN.
Born Sept. 11, 1941 in Virginia, he was a son of Dollie Hubbard Hess of Honaker and the late Charlie Albert Hess.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a disabled coal miner, having been employed by R & R Coal Company. He was a United States Army veteran, having served in both the Vietnam War and the Korean War and being honored with several medals. He was a member of the VFW Post 9343 of Honaker and the American Legion. He attended Swords Creek Block Church.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one infant brother.
Additional survivors: wife, Barbara Street Hess; daughters, Tammy Ritchie and husband, Darrell, of Honaker, Jane Hess of Castlewood, Diana Musick and husband, Tommy, of Hansonville; son, Michael Hess and wife, Stacy, of Jacksonville, FL; sisters, Eveleen McFarlane and husband, Bob, of Bristol, TN, Ruby Fogleman and husband, Ted, of Lebanon; brother, Sheldon Hess of Eustus, FL; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; 24 nieces and nephews; 23 great-nieces and nephews; three great-great-nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Phyllis and Gene McConnell and Tammie Bailey.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Mar. 12 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Rick Lester officiating.
Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Military graveside honors were conducted by the American Veteran’s Honor Guard Association of Richlands and DAV Chapter 31 of Tazewell County.
Helen Virginia Higgins
Helen Virginia Higgins, 82, of Hymera, died Mar. 10, 2006 at Glenburn Home in Linton, IN.
Born Aug. 29, 1923, in Richlands, she was the daughter of C.A. and Sadie (Boyd) Compton.
She formerly worked at United Airlines in the payroll department and as a Secretary at Peabody Coal Company. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and Eastern Star #289, both of Hymera. She was Secretary-Treasurer of Neptune food.
She was preceded in death by one brother, James Compton and her parents.
Survivors: husband, Thomas W. Higgins, whom she married
June 8, 1946; son, Thomas W. Higgins, Jr., of Bloomfield; brothers, Stuart Compton of Danville, CA, Stafford Compton of Richlands, Robert Compton of Bloomington; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 13 at Welch and Cornett Funeral Home Linton Chapel with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating.
Burial followed at Knights of Pythias cemetery in Hymera.
Memorial contributions may be made to Greene County Developmental Services, P.O. Box 141, Lyons, IN 47443.
John R. McCall
John R. McCall, of Claypool Hill, died Mar. 10, 2006 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Rosman, NC to the late Sylvanus and Idella McCall.
He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was a member of the Marine Corps League. He was Executive Vice President of the Richlands Chamber of Commerce for seven years, Chairman of the Tazewell County Republican Party for seven years, a member of VFW Post 9640, Past Master Cedar Bluff Masonic Lodge #260 A.F. & A.M., member Roanoke Kazim Shrine Center, Past Patron of the Richlands Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #104, Founder Clinch Valley Insurance Agency, Past member Cumberland Plateau Planning Commission, Past member Richlands Lions Club and a member of The Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only son, John "R" McCall, four sisters, and two brothers.
Survivors: wife, Jean Holbrook McCall; daughters, Barbara McMillan and husband, Jim, of Claypool Hill, Kathy Bennett and husband, Karmon; sister, Ruby Counts of Bristol, TN; sister-in-law, Shirley McCall of Bristol, VA; grandchildren, John Marco Warner and wife, Virginia, Drs. Brent Warner and wife, Lori, Drs. Kerri Bennett Jordan and husband, Robert, Natalee Altizer and husband, Jeremy, Dr. Kristi Bennett and fiancé, Brian Beck, Madison McCall and Mahala McCall; great grandchildren, Sarah Bond Warner, Lexie Elizabeth Warner and Anthony Knighten; and step grandchildren, Piper Lazowski and Jaime McMillan.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Mar. 13 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Jackie Strickler officiating.
Burial followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside rites were conducted by Casey Shortt VFW Post 9640.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 209, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609 or Preferred Hospice, P.O. Box 784, Richlands, VA 24641.
Laura Mae Melvin
Laura Mae Bourne Melvin, 88, a lifelong resident of Gratton, died Mar. 6, 2006 in Tazewell.
Born July 26, 1918 at Gratton, she was a daughter of the late Felix E. Bourne and Bertha B. Barnett Bourne.
She was a member of the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women Society and the Shawver's Mill Homemakers Club. She graduated from Tazewell High School and was a substitute teacher at Gratton Elementary School.
She was married
to the late Carl Witten Melvin of Gratton for 46 years. They lived their life as a neighbor and an inspiration for others. This inspiration of love was expressed to Laura Melvin's care-givers of many years which were Donna Jones, the late Mildred Shawver Heldreth, Renee Brown, Ernestine Dickens, Karen Lallande, and Dorothy Meadows.
She was preceded in death by her son, Larry Kenneth Melvin; three sisters, Violet Bourne, Lettie Bourne, and Louise Crouse and husband, Howard; two brothers, Simon Bourne and wife, Virginia Lester Bourne, and Henry Bourne; and one niece, Jean Jones.
Survivors: son, Douglas Wayne Melvin and wife, Betty Monk Melvin, of Burke's Garden; daughter-in-law, Carol Clifton Melvin of Gratton; sister, Helen Bourne of Tazewell; sister-in-law, Carrie Leffel Bourne of Tazewell; grandchildren, Brian Melvin and wife, Karen, of Gratton, Kelly Hoge and husband, Monte, of Burke's Garden, Kermitt Melvin and wife, Nina, of Elkins, WV, Dr. Eric Melvin and wife, Kristin, of Lewisville, NC; great-grandchildren, Jessica Melvin, Hunter Melvin, and Joshua Melvin; nieces and nephews, Wayne Barber and wife, Melanie, of Front Royal, Mike Shotwell and wife, Denise, of Brevard, NC, Carter Bourne of Tazewell; great nieces and nephews, Bobby Bourne and wife, Wendy, of Tazewell, Scott Bourne and wife, Lisa, of Springville, Charles Jones and wife, Carman, of Dublin; and great great nephews, Christopher Shotwell and Tyler Bourne.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 8 at Mt. Olivet cemetery at Gratton with the Rev. Rodney Lawson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, Rt. 3, Box 191, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy S. Vance
Dorothy S. Vance, 74, of Lexington, SC, died Mar. 6, 2006.
Born in Richlands, she was the daughter of the late George E. Sparks and Gracie Elswick Sparks. She was the widow of Lloyd Vance.
Survivors: daughters, Linda Salyer of Lexington, Sharon Gallegos and husband, Alfredo, of Richmond; son, David Vance of Lexington; sister, Margie Hall of Tazewell; grandson, Stephen Salyer; granddaughters, Jennifer Gallegos, Amy Eades, Amanda Beasley, Ashly and August Tina Vance; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Mar. 9 at 10 a.m. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington Chapel.
Ruth Vandyke
Ruth Vandyke, 83, of Oakwood, died Mar. 13, 2006.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Buchanan Funeral Service in Keen Mountain.
Ezra Barton
Ezra Barton, 73, of Hansonville, died Mar. 5, 2006 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Feb. 11, 1933 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Walker and Maggie Hess Barton.
He had spent most of his life in the area and was of the Holiness faith. He was a retired coal miner.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant son, Gary Glenn Barton; two brothers, Fred Barton and Simmie Barton; and two sisters, Myrtle Presley and Marie Kiser.
Survivors: wife of 53 years, Sarah Barton; daughters, Linda Bailey and husband, Jackie Fields, of Hansonville, Bonnie Tuggle and husband, Billy, of Lebanon; son, James Barton, Sr. and wife, Vickie, of Wardensville, WV; sisters, Julie Harr of Heath, OH, Helen Eppley and husband, Ted, of Thornville, OH; brother, Estil Barton of Manassas; granddaughters, Sherri Bailey, Amy Clark and husband, Carlos, Dannette Miller and husband, Darryl, Maranda Barton and boyfriend, Christopher, and Patricia Keen and boyfriend and caregiver, Buck; grandsons, James Barton, Jr. and girlfriend, Cynthia, and Joshua Barton and girlfriend, Natasha; great-granddaughters, Kassaundra Keen, Serenity Barton, Shannon Barton, Madison Barton, and Emiley Clark; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Mar. 9 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Burke Hess officiating.
Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Garland Billips
Garland Billips, 65, of the Mudfork area of Bluefield, VA, died Feb. 26, 2006 at the home of his sister, Beulah Bryant in Bluefield, WV.
Born Mar. 20, 1940 in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late Augustus Billips and Mary Belle Bostic Billips.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janie Isabelle Sluss Billips; one sister, Sarah Jane McBride; and two brothers, Marvin "Red" Billips and Douglas M. "Mac" Billips.
Survivors: daughter, Brenda Earp of Springville; sons, James Billips and David Billips, both of Asheboro, NC; sister, Beulah B. Bryant of Bluefield, WV; brothers, Samuel A. Billips of Springville, Walter J. Billips of North Tazewell; and grandchildren, Ian Billips, Mary Billips, Courtney Billips, and Jannie Billips.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 1 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Burial followed at the Billips Family cemetery at Mudfork.
