Person Page - 39

     Robert Lee "Bobby" Smallwood Jr. was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^1,7 His Social Security Number was 229-32-1128.⁸ He was born on January 26, 1930 at Roanoke, Virginia.^8,2,3,4,5 He married Mable Irene Conner, daughter of Isaac Eldridge "Ike" Conner and Ila Gay Poff, on July 18, 1953 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,10,11,2,12 Robert Lee "Bobby" Smallwood Jr. died on June 29, 1997 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 67.^8,1,4,6 He SMALLWOOD, Robert Lee, Jr., 67, of Salem, died Sunday, June 29, 1997 in a Roanoke hospital. He was retired from the Salem Frame Company. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin Leah Smallwood. He is survived by his wife, Mable Conner Smallwood; his children, Robert and Amanda Smallwood, of Salem, James Smallwood and Robin Gaines, both of Lexington, Ileta and Bob Kleene, of Roanoke, Susan and Gene Caldwell, of Kennesaw, Ga; two granddaughters, Joanna Smallwood and Kiersten Kleene; three grandsons, Corey Smallwood, Lucas Kleene and Craig Hall; one stepgrandson, Matt Kleene; siblings include, Pauline Smallwood, Sylvia M. Gee, Sherman M. Smallwood, Elliott and Ruby Smallwood. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on July 1, 1997.¹

     Robin Leah Smallwood was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4 She was born on February 16, 1957 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,4 She died on December 12, 1968 at Charlottesville, Virginia, at age 11.^3,4

     His Social Security Number was 229-44-3208.⁷ Ronald Welford Thomas was buried at Jeters Chapel Cemetery, Bedford Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on June 7, 1938 at Bedford Co., Virginia.^5,7 He married Norma Jean Conner, daughter of Isaac Eldridge "Ike" Conner and Ila Gay Poff, on August 29, 1958 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^8,9,1,2,3,4 Ronald Welford Thomas died on June 9, 2008 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 70.^4,6,7 He Ronald Welford Thomas, 70, of Salem, embraced his Savior and found perfect rest as he journeyed to his heavenly home on Monday, June 9, 2008, at his home with his family beside him. Ronald was a charter member of Life Tabernacle Church in Vinton where he served in many capacities including song leader, Sunday school teacher, bus driver, outreach minister and board member. He was a man of Godly character and his integrity, love, life and voice will forever remain in our hearts and memories. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Edith Thomas, and a son, Jeffery Leon Thomas. Surviving is his devoted and loving wife of 50 years, Norma Jean Conner Thomas; his son, Mark Thomas and wife, Lisa, of Greenville, S.C; his daughters, Twilla Metz and husband, Craig, of Roanoke, Suzette (Sudy) Knack and husband, Fritz, of Charlotte, N.C., Anita Palmer and husband, Rodney, and Amber Nicole Thomas, all of Salem; 17 grandchildren; one greatgrandson; his brother, Donald Thomas and wife, Glenda, of Riner; and his sisters, Karlene T. Wills and husband, Julian, of Vinton, and Betty Chumbley and husband, Billy, of Roanoke. Interment in Jeters Chapel Cemetery, Bedford County. on June 10, 2008.⁴

     Jeffery Leon Thomas was buried at Jeters Chapel Cemetery, Bedford Co., Virginia.^1,5 His Social Security Number was 227-02-1961.⁸ He was born on September 3, 1959 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^8,2,4,5,6 He married Karen Lynette Snavely on September 11, 1982 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² Jeffery Leon Thomas and Karen Lynette Snavely were divorced on July 24, 1995 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁹ Jeffery Leon Thomas died on January 22, 2006 at Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 46.^1,8,5,7 He We rejoice that Jeffery Leon Thomas, 46, entered his heavenly home on Sunday, January 22, 2006. He is survived by his daughter, Kendall Brooke Thomas; his parents, Ronald Welford Thomas and Norma Jean Conner Thomas; his sisters and their spouses, Twilla and Craig Metz, Suzette and Fritz Knack, Anita and Rodney Palmer; his brother and spouse, Mark and Lisa Thomas; nine nieces and eight nephews. He was a graduate of Glenvar High School in Salem, Virginia, employed by ITT in Roanoke, Virginia, and was a member of Christian Life International, Salem, Virginia. Interment will follow in Jeters Chapel Cemetery. on January 25, 2006.¹

     Morrison Celdon "Marson" Martin was buried at Little Hope Church Cemetery, Cove Hollow Road, near Elliston, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on December 21, 1868 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,1 He married Eliza T. Sowers, daughter of Joseph Dawson Sowers and Julia Ann Slusher, on May 4, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ Morrison Celdon "Marson" Martin died on December 4, 1951 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 82.¹

     Eliza T. Sowers was buried at Little Hope Church Cemetery, Cove Hollow Road, near Elliston, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² She was born on September 17, 1868 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,3 She married Morrison Celdon "Marson" Martin, son of Samuel William "Will" Martin and Evaline Cole, on May 4, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.³ As of May 4, 1891,her married name was Martin. Eliza T. Sowers died on January 14, 1927 at age 58.²

     Julia Ann Slusher was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on November 22, 1834 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1 She married Joseph Dawson Sowers, son of Johannes H. "John" Sowers and Catherine Lester, on June 28, 1855 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of June 28, 1855,her married name was Sowers. Julia Ann Slusher died on September 24, 1872 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 37; Died of consumption.²

     Jacob Astor "Jackie" Hodges was buried at Brown Cemetery, Hardy, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,7,3 His Social Security Number was 235-10-7493.¹⁰ He was born on July 5, 1914 at Thornhill, Mercer Co., West Virginia; His obituary has a birth date of Jul 7, 1914.^1,10,5,7 He married Zona Vernon White on October 1, 1938 at Matoaka, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,2,7 Jacob Astor "Jackie" Hodges died on October 13, 1953 at East River, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 39; Died from a gunshot wound to the chest.⁵ He TWO MEN ARE NABBED IN MERCER SLAYING
Princeton, Oct 13 - Bonnie Hodges, 34, and Cecil Randolph Hudgins, 31, of the Kegley area are being held in Mercer County Jail, charged with the murder of Hodges' brother, Jacob Hodges, 39 year old father of ten children. According to statements signed by the two men Tuesday noon, the three men went to Matoka Monday afternoon to get their pay at the T. K. Bailey Coal Co., where the brothers worked. They then went to Princeton, bought some whiskey and returned to Jacob's house where they stayed up until late that night. When they started to leave, Hudgins said, their truck broke down and they got out and sat down on the creek bed, where an argument broke out between the brothers and ended in a fight. Hudgins had a 22 rifle which he said Hodge tried to get from him. Jacob then went up to his house, came out on the porch and fired two shots, according to Hudgins, who told Bonnie he had better duck as his white shirt made a good target. Hudgins said Bonnie looked at the gun, saying he wanted to shoot at the eaves of the house and fired two or three times in that direction. Mrs. Hodges then came out on the porch and called to them, saying her husband had been shot. When they got there, Hudgins said, Jacob was lying on the floor just inside the door. He was dead. The bullet entered his left side, under the arm pit, and entered his heart. The victim was born at Thornhill, July 7, 1914, son of Bennie Hodges and the late Gracie Hodges. He married Zona Vernon White of Matoka, who survives, on Oct. 1, 1938. They have 10 children who are living and two others who are dead. Those surviving are Timothy, Bonnie, Jimmie, Sally Jo, Artica, Sandra Lee, Mark, Cleveland, Steven and Manuel, and one step son Garnet. Other survivors are the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Della Akers, Bonnie, Ballard, David, Joseph, and Paul Hodges, all of Kegley, Mrs. Virginia Dunn of Montcalm and Mrs. Lula Dunn of Kegley. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the home of Ballard Hodges with the Rev. Henry Smith officiating. Burial will take place in the Brown cemetery near Kegley. The body was taken to the Seaver Mortuary to await the hour for the funeral. on October 14, 1953.⁷

     Frank Vernon/Vernard "Pepper" Martin was buried at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW. 102nd Ave., Bushnell, Sumter Co., Florida.¹⁰ He was born on January 9, 1917 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,11,1,2 He married Ruth Ellen Crook, daughter of John Crook and Mary Sink, on December 24, 1938 at Roanoke, Virginia.^5,11,1 Frank Vernon/Vernard "Pepper" Martin died on March 12, 2011 at Florida at age 94.¹⁰ He MARTIN, Frank V., 94, of Sun City Center, passed away March 12, 2011. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired from General Motors as a tool and dye maker. He was a member and held various offices in the Masons, Shriners, Kiwanis, General Motors Retirees Club and Sun City Home Owners Association. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Martin. Survivors include two brothers, Horace "Homer" Martin and his wife, Eva, and Clyde Martin; a sister, Geneva "Genny" Thompson and several nieces & nephews. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Friday, March 18, 2011 at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Boulevard West, Sun City Center, FL. Burial will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, at a later date. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home 813-634-9900. on March 15, 2011.¹⁰