U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Dorothy Lawson
Dorothy Lillian Jones Lawson, 77, of Lebanon, formerly of Baptist Valley, died Monday, December 26, 2005 at her home following a lengthy illness.
She was the daughter of the late Clarence and Clara Mitchell Jones, both Bandy natives.
She had made her home in the Baptist Valley and Dix Creek area most of her life and was a member of the Bandy Freewill Baptist Church and a member of the Barnes-Beavers VFW Post Ladies Auxiliary of Tazewell.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Herbert Lawson. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Combs and husband, Ronnie of Lebanon, and
Janet McReynolds of Marion; three sons: Dannie Lawson and wife, Linda, and Lynn Lawson and wife, Marsha all of Marion, Gary Lawson and wife, Debra of Meadowview; 12 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 3 step great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Dorothy Lillian Jones Lawson will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 2 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. Sam Altizer and Rev. Marvin Nipper officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements.
Claude L. Lowe
Claude L. Lowe, age 85, of Richlands, Virginia, died, December 25, 2005, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Coldan, Virginia and was the son of the late Thomas C. and Cora May Griffith Lowe, both Richlands area natives.
He had made his home in Richlands all of his life and was a retired miner from the Jewell Ridge Coal Corporation. He was a member of the UMWA Local #6167 Jewell Ridge, Oneska Tribe #61 of Improved Order of Redmen, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Appalachian Agency of Senior Citizens.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Carrie Nelson; three sisters, Jeanette Altizer, Dorothy Salyers, Marie Kinder; and three brothers, Raymond Lowe, Bill Lowe, and Orastus Lowe.
Survivors include five daughters; Elizabeth Lowe of Richlands, Doris Smith and husband, Larry and Carolyn Stevenson and husband, Tex, all of Cedar Bluff, Connie Herald and husband, Craig of Maxwell, and Debbie Jones and husband, Gary of King, North Carolina; one son: Thomas Lowe and wife, Pam of Wardell; one brother: Ervin Lowe and wife, Shirley of Marianna, Florida; special caregivers: Dorothy Hess and Wanda Martin; 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Claude L. Lowe will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 11 am at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Max Linkous and Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating. Interment will follow at the Grandview Memory Gardens at Bluefield.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements.
James E. Null
James E. Null, 78, of the Spring City section of Lebanon, died December 23, 2005 at the home of his daughter in Roanoke, Virginia.
Born January 22, 1927 in Drill, he was a son of the late Everett and Lona Jackson Null. He had resided in the Spring City section for over twenty years and had retired from Consolidated Coal Company. He was a member of the Faith Tabernacle in Lebanon, Virginia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Keene Null on October 23, 2005.
Survivors include one daughter, Lynda Griffith and her husband, Jim of Roanoke; two sons, Larry Null, Sr. and his wife, Shelia of Spring City, and Ted Null and his wife, Sheli of Powhatan; one sister, Shirley Shinaberry and her husband, Jim of Stuart’s Draft; four brothers, Cecil Null and his wife, Thelma of Lebanon, Don Null and his wife, Rosalee of Richlands, Clyde Null and his wife, Shirley of Paintlick, and Charles Null and his wife, Dorothy of Tazewell; nine grandchildren, Larry Null, Jr., Tammy Adams, Kenneth Griffith, David Griffith, Timothy Griffith, Jonathan Griffith, Jennifer Magruder, Jessica Mattaliano, and Julianne Null; six great-grandchildren, Caleb, Joshua, Will, Una, Marcus, and Micah.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Virginia, with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Honaker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frank Don Sturgeon
Frank Don Sturgeon, 66, of Grundy, died Dec. 19, 2005 at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Frank and Ora May Davis Sturgeon.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, a member of the Holiness Church and was a former employee of Bob Gibson Powder Co.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Stevenson Sturgeon, two sisters and four brothers.
Survivors: daughters, Teresa Stone of Mavisdale, Debbie Sturgeon of Richlands, Donna Ann Sturgeon of Ohio; sons, Donald Slone of Mavisdale, Carter Wayne Matney of Whitewood, Ira Sturgeon, Jr. of West Virginia; sister, Ethel May Lester of Big Rock; brothers, Arnold Sturgeon of Grundy, Clarence Sturgeon of Vansant; and five grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. at the home of Ethel May Lester in Big Rock with Rev. Willard Grizzle and Rev. Junior Fraley officiating.
Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock.
Services were held Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at Ethel May Lester’s home.
Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Roy Walters
Roy Walters, 79, of Goodview, died Dec. 19, 2005.
Born Oct. 22, 1926, he was the son of the late Thomas V. Walters and Emma Catherine Carter Walters.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II and the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Walters; one brother, Ken Walters; and one sister, Alma.
Survivors: wife, Della G. Walters of Goodview; son, Thomas V. Walters and wife, Kathleen, of Baltimore, MD; stepson, Greg Blankenship and wife, Melanie, of Goodview; stepdaughter, Tonscia Osborne and husband, Michael, of Lebanon; granddaughters, Kimberly A. Walters and Michelle L. Walters; grandson, Richard E. Walters; step-grandsons, Howard Lebon, Robert Lebon, Keith Merson, T. "Justin" Osborne, Javen Blankenship, and Dylan Osborne; step-granddaughters, Haley Osborne and Eva Blankenship; brothers, James Walters, George Walters, Bill Walters and Bobby Proffitt; and sisters, Alice Freeman and Edna Hudson.
Graveside funeral services were held 11 a.m. Dec. 22 at Virginia Veterans cemetery in Amelia with Pastor Willie Ratliff officiating.
Military funeral honors were conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel.
Betty Lou Vance Billips
Betty Lou Vance Billips, 71, of the Mudfork community in Tazewell, died Dec. 16, 2005 at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell.
Born Dec. 13, 1934, in Bishop, she was a daughter of Ama A. Kiser Vance of Tazewell and the late Edward F. Vance.
She was a member of the Mudfork Church of Christ. She graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1952.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Marsha Rew, and two sisters, Joyce Smith and Mary Sue O’Donnell.
Additional survivors: husband, Earl H. Billips; daughters, Penny Billips of Richmond, Debra Hatfield and husband, Russ, of Bluefield, VA, Eva Bailey and husband, Randy, of Christiansburg; sons, Robert Billips of Mudfork, Jeff Billips of Tazewell, Kevin Billips and wife, Chaney, of Anniston, AL; son-in-law, Jerry Rew of Richmond; grandchildren, Allen Hatfield, Amanda Eggleston, Kyle Bailey, Drew Bailey, Nikki Billips, Derek Billips, Tessa Billips, Isaac Billips, Tricia Rew, and Jeffery Billips presently in the military in Iraq; great-grandchildren, Savannah Eggleston and Ryan Rew; sisters, Phyllis Wall of Pulaski, Brenda Manchester of Gratton; and brothers, Bill Vance of Bishop, and Farley Vance of Bastian.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Entombment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611.
May Ola Justice
May Ola Hall Justice, 90, of West Palm Beach, FL, formerly of Richlands and Landover, MD, died Dec. 2, 2005 in West Palm Beach following a brief illness.
She was born in Pounding Mill in 1916 and was the daughter of the late Dexter Frazier Hall and Lillie Belle Presnell Hall.
She graduated from Richlands High School in 1933 and went into nursing where she met her future husband, Clarence Houston Justice, who preceded her in death. After nursing, she became a homemaker and started a career as a pharmacist assistant for People’s Drug Store.
In Florida, at the age of 80, she went into the C. O. P. program where she received several commendations and achieved the rank of Colonel.
Survivors: daughters, Lillie Weiner of Bel Air, MD, Barbara Mize of Alabaster, AL; son, Aaron Dexter Justice of Canton, PA; sister, Eileen Maxey; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a life long friend, Mary Mac Neil.
A memorial service was conducted Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. at Greenhills Memory Gardens Chapel Mausoleum at Claypool Hill with Rev. Scott Childress officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of the arrangements.
Vernie "Bud" Marshall
Vernie Lee "Bud" Marshall, 66, of Mt. Rainier, MD, died Dec. 14, 2005 at his home.
Born in Russell County, he was a son of the late James Rolf and Mazie Wells Marshall.
He had lived in Mt. Rainier for the past 43½ years, moving there from Honaker. He was a retired truck driver, having been employed at Burnham Service Corporation for 33 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Peggy Combs.
Survivors: wife, Armeldia Marshall of the home; children, Robert Marshall and wife, Mary, of Chesapeake Beach, MD, Anita Johnson and husband, Todd, of Nanjamoy, MD, Buddy Marshall and wife, Chrysta, and Howard Honaker, all of Mt. Rainier; brothers, Billy Marshall and Sonny Marshall and wife, Judy, of Hyattsville, MD; sisters, Betty Boozer and husband, "Boozer," of Gray, TN, Connie Kiser and husband, Wayne, of Honaker; brother-in-law, Jim Combs of Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Brian, Andy, Lindsay, Kaitlin, Christopher and Todd, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Robert, Donald, Oz, Zuki Kate and Kramer; special friends, Brent Howard of Frederick, MD, Joe Howard of Mt. Airy, MD, Peggy Taylor of Honaker; and special nurse, Marylin Mowatt of Mt. Rainier.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Taylor officiating.
Interment followed in Russell Memorial cemetery in Lebanon.
Joshua David Mercer
Joshua David Mercer, 26, of Pounding Mill, died at his home, Dec. 12, 2005.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of Tina Muir of Pounding Mill and the late Tommy David Mercer.
He was a life long resident of the area and had attended Richlands High School. He was an employee of the Apple Jack Coal Company of Dante.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James and Phyllis Mercer, and one aunt, Dana Sayers.
Additional survivors: step-father, Ronnie Hurt; brother, Elijah Craig Stiltner of Pounding Mill; maternal grandparents, Bob and Nell Muir of Raven; his special dog and constant companion, Buddy; aunts and uncles, Rebecca Fox and husband, Mike, of Richlands, Robert Muir and wife, Debbie, of Doran; cousins, Greta Hurst, Holly Cantrell, Heather Sayers, Joey Fox, Robert Muir, Zachary Muir, James Mercer, Michelle Mercer, Shawn Combs and Jared Combs; and a host of family and friends.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. David Brannock officiating.
Interment followed at the Clinch Valley Memorial cemetery in Richlands.
Roberta Gail Simmons
Roberta Gail Simmons, 71, of Cedar Bluff, died Dec. 13, 2005 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Utica, NY, she was the daughter of the late Erwin and Roberta Morgan Briggs, both New York natives.
She had made her home in the Cedar Bluff area for the past 50 years and was a member of the Raven Assembly of God Church in Raven. She was a graduate of Boone High School in Orlando, FL.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence O. Simmons, and one son, Rodney Simmons.
Survivors: daughter, Karen Davis and husband, Rick, of Cedar Bluff; son, Mack Simmons and wife, Connie Jean, of Cedar Bluff; brother, Dick Briggs of Portage, MI; grandchildren, Lindsey Lambert, Eric Lambert, Gabrielle Davis, Joshua Davis, Alexandra Simmons, and Amber Simmons; great grandchild, Jaden Marie Simmons; niece, Amy Thar; and nephews, Jonathan Briggs, Danis Simmons, and Todd Simmons.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Raven Assembly of God Church in Raven with the Rev. Barry Absher officiating.
Entombment followed at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Claypool Hill.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.
Albert Stevens
Albert Stevens, 68, of the Finney Road section of Honaker, died Dec. 18, 2005 in a Richlands hospital.
Born July 7, 1937 in Russell County, he was a son of the late Joseph and Pauline Chafin Stevens.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a retired foreman with Ingersol-Rand (S & S Machinery) at Claypool Hill.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Carol Sue Peck, and three sisters, Irene Johnson, Brenda Stevens and Linda Poore.
Survivors: wife of 52 years, Dorothy Stevens; daughters, Lola Wells and husband, Doug, of Abingdon, Nancy Starnes and husband, Steve, of Lebanon; son, Gerald Stevens and wife, Debbie of Honaker; sisters, Ruth Sluder and husband, Bob, of Marion, NC, Naomi Honaker and husband, Howard, of Honaker; brothers, Henry Stevens and wife, Virginia, of Pottstown, PA, Ira Joe Stevens and wife, Virginia, of Honaker; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Chester Ball officiating.
Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212.
