U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Herbert E. King dies at 88
Jan 26, 2001
Miller & Rhoads offered a world of opportunity for Herbert E. King when he settled in Richmond after Army service in World War II.
During his 13 years with the storied Richmond department store, Mr. King gained more than experience in his profession.
He also gained a wife and business partner, as well as an opportunity that led to his nearly 40-year ownership of longtime area luggage retailer, H.W. Rountree's Luggage Co. Inc.
Mr. King, 88, a native of Providence, R.I., but a longtime Richmond resident, died Tuesday. He owned Rountree's since 1959.
A former Northeastern University student, Mr. King left school to pursue his first ambition in retail, "which was his love," said son William A. King of Richmond. The younger King took over Rountree's from his father in 1998.
Working his way up in the retail industry, Mr. King eventually landed in New York, first at Stern Bros., and then at Macy's, where he was a camera buyer before the war.
When he took a position at Miller & Rhoads in 1946 as a luggage, leather and sporting goods buyer, Mr. King was picking up where he had left off five years earlier.
There he met his wife, the future Helen Virginia King, also an employee at Miller & Rhoads. And in 1959, he jumped at the opportunity to take what he had learned at department stores and apply that knowledge as his own boss.
He and his wife purchased Rountree's from a Baltimore family that had bought the then-84-year-old business from the Rountree family two years earlier. Mr. King heard of the opportunity through his Miller & Rhoads contacts.
Over the years, Mr. King opened additional stores, including a shop on Broad Street near Willow Lawn, a store near Chesterfield Towne Center mall in Chesterfield, and a shop in Virginia Beach.
He closed the company's original downtown store at the corner of Fourth and East Franklin streets.
"He saw the opportunity to buy," said his son, of Mr. King's initial purchase of the company. "I think it was his dream."
Mrs. King died in 1999. Despite his official retirement in 1998, Mr. King continued his activity in the business until just a few months ago.
"It was always my dad's store," said his son. "It was his whole life. He just liked getting out on the floor and selling."
In addition to his son, Mr. King is survived by a daughter, Brenda E. Webber of Waldorf, Md.; another son, Dr. E. Davey King of Richmond; and a brother, Fred King of North Carolina.
A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond.
BEY
Departed this life May 14, 2002, Infant Jameisha Breon Bey of Richmond. Daughter of Cortisha Earley and James Bey, also survived by one sister and two brothers; paternal and maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends. Arrangements by the Brunson's Funeral Chapel, 1st and Federal Sts., where funeral services will be held Tuesday (today) at 12 noon. Rev. Lydia Jiggetts officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.
BLACK
Joseph Sanders Black, 79, of Livorno Ct., Virginia Beach, Va., passed away on Friday, May 17, 2002 from complications of a long illness. Mr. Black was born in Bluefield, W.Va., the son of the late Dr. Harold Wharton Black and the late Mrs. Annie Sanders Black. He was a graduate of Beaver High School in Bluefield, where he was active in sports. Mr. Black was recognized as an All State football player in West Virginia and became a quarterback at both Virginia military Institute and the University of Virginia. His college career was interrupted by WWII. Mr. Black left college to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After the war, Joe completed college and had a long career as a professional mechanical engineer living in Waynesboro, Va.; Camden, S.C.; Ashland, Ky.; and Chester, Va. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and was a licensed professional engineer. Mr. Black is survived by his wife, Helen "Sis" Warden Black of the residence. In addition to his wife, Mr. Black is survived by two daughters, Ms. Bethea Brost of Newton, N.J. and Mrs. Montine Frasure of Ashland, Ky.; two sons, Captain Harold David Black of Annapolis, Md. and Joseph Sanders Black Jr. of Midlothian, Va.; one brother, Harold Wharton Black of Reading, Pa.; 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and a special cat named Pocahontas. A memorial service will be held at the Christ Episcopal Church in Bluefield, W.Va., on Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. The Cremation Society of Virginia is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign the guest register for Mr. Black at www.cremate.org.
BLACKWELL
Selena L. Blackwell, 55, of Richmond, formerly of Lexington, died Saturday, May 18, 2002 in the Henrico Doctors' Hospital, Richmond. Mrs. Blackwell was born on January 11, 1947 in Martinsburg, W.Va. and was a daughter of the late Frederick Stuart Lunsford Jr. and Mary Louise Hite Lunsford. She attended the Lauderdale A.R.P. Church in Lexington and was a member of the Richmond Women's Golf Association and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She worked in the Quality Control Department for Capital One. Mrs. Blackwell is survived by her husband, William Thomas Blackwell, Richmond; one daughter, Tisha Blackwell-Carlesco, Roanoke; and one sister, Freda L. Tennant of Virginia Beach. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2002 in the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, with Dr. James D. Graves Jr. officiating. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington.
BLAKE
Mattie Mae Blake, 93, of Richmond, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2002 at Shenandoah Nursing Home. She was the widow of Judge B. Gary Blake. Born in Richmond, she was a lifelong member of Woodland Heights Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Martha B. Cooper of Roseland, Va. and Nancy B. Svendsen of East Greenwich, R.I.; six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Her remains rest at the Bliley Funeral Home's Chippenham Chapel, 6900 Hull Street Rd., where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday. Interment Maury Cemetery.
BLANKENSHIP
Daisy G. Blankenship, 96, died May 14, 2002 in Naples, Fla. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Lee Shelton Blankenship; and two of her grandsons, Michael George Gratz and David Shelton Gratz. She is survived by her only daughter, Virginia Lee Gratz and son-in-law, whom she considered a son, George Gratz of Naples, Fla.; and a very special grandson, Stephen Christopher Gratz of Richmond, Va. Anyone who got to know Daisy grew to love her because of her sweet disposition and her caring ways. She had an unwavering faith in God, and she was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Richmond. She was truly a lady, and she will be greatly missed. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 23 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Huguenot Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Rd. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Central United Methodist Church, 1211 Porter St. Interment to follow in Maury Cemetery.
BOYD
Departed this life May 18, 2002, Lucille Boyd of Richmond. Notice of funeral later.
BRANCH
Alvin E. (Dog) Branch Sr. of 104 Mardick Rd. departed this life Friday, May 17, 2002. He is survived by one son, Alvin E. Branch Jr.; mother, Shirley Branch; one brother, Gerald Branch; four nieces, one sister-in-law, other relatives and friends, among them a devoted friend, Demetrice Lassiter. Remains rest at the Mimms Funeral Home, 19th and Hull Streets, where funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 22 at 11 a.m. Rev. Ronald C. Taylor officiating. Interment in Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia Co., Va. Relatives and friends attending funeral services, assemble at the funeral home Wednesday 10:30 a.m.
CARROLL
Mary Carroll of Richmond entered eternal rest May 20, 2002. Professional services entrusted to the: A D PRICE FUNERAL HOME
CASTLE
Lillian E. Castle, 69, of Richmond, went to be with the Lord May 19, 2002. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael L. Castle. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Carl E. Castle Sr.; daughter, Elaine R. Chinners of Summerville, S.C.; three sons, Carl E. Castle Jr. of Blackstone, Ted R. Castle of Amelia and Eddy M. Castle of Highland Springs; sister, Ethel Lewis of Lewisetta; also 12 grandchildren. Mrs. Castle was a former member of Buford Road Baptist Church. We will miss you greatly. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Huguenot Chapel, Woody Funeral, 1020 Huguenot Rd., where services will be held Wednesday, 2 p.m. Interment Dale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Heart Association.
CIMO
Audrey May Cimo, 65, of Manlyn Road and formerly of Fort Edward, N.Y., died Saturday, May 18, 2002 at Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Va. Born on March 13, 1937 in Hudson Falls, she was the daughter of the late Walter G. Chase and Anna Myette Chase Heinrich and her husband, Phillip Heinrich. Mrs. Cimo married William F. Cimo at St. Pauls' Church, Hudson Falls on September 14, 1957. Mrs. Cimo formerly worked for Newton & Hill Corp. in Fort Edward, N.Y. and Lady L. Bridal in Richmond, Va. She most recently worked at By Invitation Only, a bridal boutique in Glen Allen, Va. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Richmond, Va. and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Besides her parents; her son, William J. Cimo; and her brother, Arthur Chase also predeceased her. Survivors besides her husband of 44 years include her daughter, Marianne T. Fields and her husband, Craig of Winterville, N.C.; her daughter-in-law, Karen Cimo of Winterville, N.C.; her brothers and sisters, Donald Chase and his wife, Lois of Queensbury, N.Y., Janet Cronquist and her husband, Robert of Port Clinton, Ohio and Bertram Chase and his wife, Eilleen of Safety Harbor, Fla.; her granddaughters, Jessica Cimo, Brittany Cimo and Mary Grace Fields; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at St. Joseph Church, 164 Broadway, Fort Edward, N.Y. The rite of committal will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Fort Edward, N.Y. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 380A Glen Street, Glens Falls, N.Y. 12801 or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 164 Broadway, Fort Edward, N.Y. 12828 or to the St. Gabriels Catholic Church Building Fund, 1120 Martin Luther King Drive, Greenville, N.C. 27834.
COATES
Departed this life May 20, 2002 at Bowling Health Care Center, Gertrude Coates, formerly of King William Co., Va. Her remains rest at the Henry W. Dabney Funeral Home, 518 N. Washington Hwy., Ashland. McCarthy, Director.
COOLEY
Mary Lee Cooley of Richmond died Sunday May 19, 2002. She was the widow of Leslie Vincent Cooley and is survived by three nieces, Evelyn Binns, Katherine Barrow and Hazel May Courtney; a nephew, Jack R. Ittner; many great-nieces and nephews. Mrs. Cooley was a longtime member of Epiphany Lutheran Church. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Interment Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Little Sisters of The Poor or the Building Fund of Epiphany Lutheran Church.
DELBRIDGE
Mrs. Mabel King Delbridge, age 90, of Gasburg, Va., died May 19, 2002. She was the widow of Clyde E. Delbridge and his survived by a sister, Mary K. Moody of Richmond, Va.; one brother, Thomas J. King of Henrico, N.C.; five nieces, Elaine King Chipley, Diana King Roller, Mary Moody Littlepage, Nancy Moody Groff and Lucy Delbridge Gauldin; and six nephews, Rev. Charles B. (C.B.) King, Charles Milton King Jr., Fred Paige Butler Jr., Thomas Moore King, William Samuel Delbridge and Wilson Lee Delbridge. She was a lifelong member of the Olive Branch United Methodist Church, where funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday 7 to 8:30 p.m. at
Williams Funeral Home, Lawrenceville. Memorials may be made to Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Gasburg, Va. 23857.
EVANS
Dorothy Hallman Evans, 78, of Richmond, widow of Benjamin Atwood Evans, died Saturday, May 18, 2002. She is survived by four children, Carolyn Bradley and her husband, Jim, Janice Branum and her husband, Stephen, Joseph Evans and his wife, Charlotte, and Susan Vaughan and her husband, Tom; five grandchildren, Chris Cox, Stacy Joly, Jason, Michael, and Donna Vaughan; and one great-grandchild, Evan Cox. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chamberlayne Baptist Church, 215 Wilkinson Rd., Richmond, Va. 23227 or Bon Secours Hospice, 8580 Magellan Parkway, Building 4, Richmond, Va. 23227. Special thanks to All About Family, LLC and Bon Secours Hospice, who were there.
FORD
Departed this life May 15, 2002, Purcell Lee "Sonny" Ford Jr. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sandra Scott-Ford; four children, Essie, LaDonna, Anson and Lauren Ford; six grandchildren; his loving mother, Delores Ford; five brothers, Reginald, Charles, William, Gregory and Kent Ford; two sisters, Sabrina and Michelle Ford; two aunts, three sisters-in-law, a host of other relatives and friends. Remains may be viewed at Chiles Funeral Home, 2100 Fairmount Ave., Wednesday at 11 a.m. followed by graveside services at 1 p.m. from Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family may be contacted at 358-0007. CHILES
GATLING
James Lloyd Gatling (Jimmy) of New Kent, Va., departed this life May 17, 2002. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sylvia Gatling; three stepdaughters, three stepsons, two sisters and four brothers; mother-in-law, Lois Crawley; four aunts, two great-aunts, one great-uncle, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; stepgrandchildren, Jill, Rachel and Derek Armstead; three sisters-in-law, seven brothers-in-law; a host of other relatives and friends, among them, Howard Murray. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2002 from the Gilfield Baptist Church, Charles City. Rev. Raymond Otey will eulogize. Arrangements entrusted to the staff of Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell.
GEORGE
Donald Douglas George of Chester died May 19, 2002. He was a machine operator at Philip Morris. He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret; one son, Donald Charles George of Chester; mother and father, Doris and Donald J. George of Chester; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Edna and Hugh
Green of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania; one sister, Pamela A. Davis and brother-in-law, Winston Davis of Chester; one half-brother, Billy Burton of Secretary, Maryland; two nephews, Christopher George and Bryan Davis; grandmother, Hazel Insley of Secretary, Maryland; two aunts, Kay Abey of Secretary, Maryland and Mary E. Spence of Cambridge, Maryland; three uncles, Ronald Insley of Cambridge, Maryland, Carl Insley of Madison, Maryland, and Dennis Charles George of Highland Springs; in-laws, Stephanie and David Snow, Gordon Eric Michael Snow, John and Kathy Green; two nieces, Jill Cronick and Sarah
Green of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania; and many, many friends and loved ones. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, May 23, 2002, 2 p.m. in the Chesterfield Chapel of J.T. Morriss and Son Funeral Home. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Contributions may be made to Life Net. Interment at a later date.
