U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Vernon D. Willis
Vernon David Willis, 78, of Kirkwood Drive, Roanoke, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at home.
He was born in Henry County on June 19, 1927, to William Hadden Willis and Hilda Gregory Willis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Hundley Willis.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in California as an MP after the war. He graduated from National Business College with a degree in accounting and served Appalachian Electric Company for 40 years. Additionally, he worked part-time for Lotz Funeral Home.
He was a member of First Christian Church in Roanoke where he served as an elder, trustee, financial secretary and choir member. He was a also a member of Lakeland Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine, the Eastern Star and the Cave Spring Lions Club.
Surviving are his brother, Dennis Willis of Martinsville, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lotz Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Jim Rivers officiating. A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. and burial will be in Pleasant Grove Christian Church cemetery in Martinsville.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Willard Arnold
The funeral for Willard Arnold, 82, of 325 Soapstone Road, Ridgeway, who died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Horsepasture Christian Church. Minister David Cuthbertson will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Burial Park.
Visitation will be held at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. today, and other times at the home on Soapstone Road.
Arnold was born Oct. 20, 1923, in Henry County, to Charles
Green Arnold and Annie Morris Arnold. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Zonie Dillon Arnold; a son, Randy G. Arnold; and two sisters, Dot A. Bryant and Iva Jean A. Jones.
He served in the Army during World War II and worked as a millwright at Pine Products. As a member of the Horsepasture Ruritan Club, Arnold had been the Ruritan benefit Brunswick stew chef for years. He also was named Ruritan of the Year in 2000 and was the recipient of the Tom Downing Fellow Award from the National Ruritan Foundation in 2004.
He was a member and past deacon of the Horsepasture Christian Church.
Surviving are two sons, Charles L. Arnold of Martinsville and Ricky A. Arnold of Ridgeway; two sisters, Molly A. Hubbard and Irene A. Lusk, both of Martinsville; four brothers, David Arnold of Ridgeway, and Paul Arnold, Page Arnold and Bill Arnold, all of Martinsville; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department, Att: Joel Barnes, 18241 A.L. Philpott Hwy., Ridgeway, Va. 24148.
Norris Funeral Services and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Gravely
The funeral for Harold Gravely, 77, of 685 Elijah Circle, Martinsville, who died Jan. 8, 2006, will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Penn officiating. Burial will be in Carver Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the church for a half-hour before the service and other times at the home on Elijah Circle.
Hines Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
William R. Hairston Jr.
The funeral for Elder William R. Hairston Jr., 73, of Martinsville, who died Jan. 5, 2006, was held Monday at Hairston Funeral Home chapel with Elder Russell Redd officiating. Burial was in Carver Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Andrea' Martin, Torrie Penn, Jessie Penn Jr. and Tony Holmes.
Verlie J. Hall
Verlie Joyce Hall, 98, formerly of Reed Creek Drive, Bassett, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at the Stanleytown Health Care Center.
She was born in Patrick County on March 12, 1907, to William Tuggle and Ellen Tuggle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William A. "Fon" Joyce in 1966; her second husband, James Carl Hall in 1992; a stepson, Burton Hall; and four sisters and a brother.
She co-owned and operated Fon's Grocery in Bassett for a number of years. She was a member of Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church. She also attended Fieldale Baptist Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Jane Joyce Sharpe of Bassett; a son, William C. Joyce of Collinsville; a stepdaughter, Edith Hall McEntire of Chapel Hill, N.C.; a stepson, R.C. "Husky" Hall of Martinsville; eight grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Collins Funeral Services with the Rev. Richard Hanks officiating. Burial will be at Old Center Primitive Baptist Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, and other times at the home of her daughter at 277 Reed Creek Drive, Bassett.
Memorials may be made to the Bassett Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 510, Bassett, Va. 24055.
Matthew J. Harris
A graveside funeral for Matthew J. Harris, 75, of 120 Pony Place, Martinsville, who died Jan. 7, 2006, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Carver Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Marvin Elmore will officiate.
Friends are being received at the home on Pony Place.
He was born in Martinsville on Nov. 3, 1930, to James Harris and Mary Hairston Harris. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Johetta Hairston; and two stepsons, William O. Millner and Samuel H. Cahill.
He retired from Sara Lee Knitwear.
Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth M. Harris of the home; a son, Marcus Spencer of Virginia Beach; two daughters, Melissa Spencer of Virginia Beach and Marsha Harris of Winston-Salem, N.C.; five stepdaughters, Pamela Smith, Alberta Cahill, Nancy Cahill and Elsie Martin, all of Martinsville and Lucy Elmore of Davenport, Iowa; two stepsons, Terry Cahill and James Cahill, both of Martinsville; a brother, James L. Harris of Martinsville; a sister, Annie Oakes of Raleigh, N.C.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and eight step-grandchildren.
Hines Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Annie G. Jefferson
The funeral for Annie Laura Gravely Jefferson, 91, who died Jan. 5, 2006, was held Monday at McKee-Stone Funeral Services with the Re. Brian Keith officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Burial Park.
Pallbearers were Mark Shrader, Hollis Shrader, Wayne Shrader, Tim Shrader, Allen Custer, Brandon Shrader and Seph Custer.
Steven C. McDaniel
Steven Craig McDaniel, 45, of Martinsville, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at his home.
He was born July 1, 1960, in Ashboro, N.C., to Raleigh Henry McDaniel of Chatham and Lois Hooker McDaniel of Troy, N.C.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William H. and Emma C. McDaniel and Bud and Elizabeth Hooker.
He was employed in the slitting department at CPFilms and was a member of the House of Prayer Baptist Church.
In addition to his father and mother, he is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carol McDaniel of the home; a daughter, Angel Dawn McDaniel, and a son, Jeremiah Craig McDaniel, both of the home; three sisters, Kathi M. Perdue of Glade Hill, Patricia Truesdell of Concord, N.C. and Stalette Rose McDaniel of Arnold, Pa.; and a brother, Kerry "Scott" McDaniel of Chatham.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Norris Funeral Services chapel with Pastor Bob Ford officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Burial Park.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today.
Memorials may be made to the House of Prayer Baptist Church, 825 Starling Ave., Martinsville, Va. 24112.
Annie P. Merriman
The funeral for Annie Pearl Merriman, 94, of Fieldale, who died Jan. 6, 2006, was held Monday at Bassett Funeral Service chapel with the Rev. Susie Brack officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Burial Park.
Pallbearers were Mitch Doman, Tobin Doman, Darrell Hylton, Lonnie Eanes, Jeff Hylton, Chris Merriman and Milton Merriman Jr.
