Person Page - 707

     Arvel Ramsey was buried at Franklin Hills Memory Gardens, 5802 Elder Road, Canal Winchester, Franklin Co., Ohio.⁴ His Social Security Number was 400-14-1219.⁷ He was born on October 14, 1917 at Yeager, Pike Co., Kentucky.^7,3,4,5,6,8 He married Eva Arlene Kingrea, daughter of Eldridge Mullens Kingrea and Lucy Jane Conner, on November 17, 1945 at Crane Creek, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 Arvel Ramsey died on December 26, 1988 at Franklin Co., Ohio, at age 71.^7,9,4,8

     His Social Security Number was 225-48-8204.² Harry Joe Basham was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on May 9, 1939.² He married Shirley Richards circa 1962.¹ Harry Joe Basham died on January 28, 2001 at Virginia at age 61.^1,2 He BASHAM, Harry Joe, 61, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord Sunday, January 28, 2001. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy Calvin Basham and Pauline Turpin Basham. Harry was a member of Bonsack Baptist Church. He was employed by Elizabeth Arden for 25 years. Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Shirley Richards Basham; daughters and sons-in-law, Wendi B. and Gary W. Jenkins of Bedford, Kristi B. and Carl U. Power of Roanoke; a son and daughter-in-law, Gregg A. and Traci G. Basham of Salem; three grandchildren, Taylor McKinley Basham, Aaron Michael Jenkins, Dylan Shane Jenkins; four brothers, Roy C. Basham, Jr. of Novato, Calif., Jack E. Basham of Panama City, Fla., Donald E. Basham of Daytona Beach, Fla., Perry W. Basham of Roanoke; a sister, Mary B. Thurman of Roanoke; numerous nieces and nephews; and his most faithful companion, Tina. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2001 from Oakey's North Chapel. Pastor Stafford Frederick will officiate. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Oakey's North Chapel. on January 30, 2001.¹

     Ralph Wilbur Blevins was buried at Anderson Memorial Gardens, 640 Oliver Springs Highway, Clinton, Anderson Co., Tennessee.⁶ His Social Security Number was 235-30-9249.⁷ He was born on December 4, 1923 at Crumpler, McDowell Co., West Virginia.^7,1,3,4,5,8 He married Stella Frances Kingrea, daughter of Eldridge Mullens Kingrea and Lucy Jane Conner, on October 27, 1951 at Wytheville, Wythe Co., Virginia.^9,10,2,11 Ralph Wilbur Blevins died on March 6, 2006 at Knoxville, Knox Co., Tennessee, at age 82.^7,1,8 He Ralph Wilbur Blevins, 82, of Oak Ridge, and formerly of Reseda, Calif., died Monday, March 6, 2006, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville. He was born Dec. 4, 1923, in Crumpler, W.Va., to parents George Washington Blevins and Lillie Mae Hall Blevins. He was one of 14 children. Mr. Blevins was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Korea and World War II, and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was very proud of his country, his flag and everything they stand for. He was also a member of the Teamsters Local 495. Mr. Blevins worked for 29 years with Hertz Rent-a-Car in California where he was a mechanic, retiring in 1989 to enjoy life with his family. He was known for his sense of humor and his positive outlook on life. His family was very important to him and they were always number one with him. In addition to his parents and several siblings, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Ralph Blevins, in 1984. on March 7, 2006.¹

     John Thomas "Junior" Nixon Jr. was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on June 5, 1911 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,4,3 He married Ruby Irene Akers on December 23, 1933 at Floyd Co., Virginia.³ John Thomas "Junior" Nixon Jr. died on November 22, 1968 at age 57.⁴

     George W. Janney was buried at Vest Cemetery, 432 Cypress Drive SE, Floyd Co., Virginia.² He was born on January 27, 1849 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,1 He married Ruth A. Smith on December 12, 1878 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1 George W. Janney died on September 12, 1914 at age 65.²

     Ruth A. Smith was buried at Vest Cemetery, 432 Cypress Drive SE, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on January 15, 1851 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,1 She married George W. Janney on December 12, 1878 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1 As of December 12, 1878,her married name was Janney.¹ Ruth A. Smith died on December 17, 1927 at age 76.²

     Elmon Leroy Austin was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, 1078 Huffville Road, NE, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁵ His Social Security Number was 228-16-3170.⁶ He was born on November 11, 1920 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,5,1 He married Margie Magdalene Epperly, daughter of Hiley Lee Epperly and Blanche Woodruff Sumner, on November 1, 1941 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Elmon Leroy Austin died on September 18, 1978 at age 57.^6,5

     Her Social Security Number was 228-03-1515.⁴ Marie A. Sowers was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,5 She was born on February 2, 1918 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1,4 She married Clarence Edwin Austin, son of Shirley Lee Austin and Hester Elizabeth "Hettie" Clower, on October 2, 1948 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,6,5 As of October 2, 1948,her married name was Austin. Marie A. Sowers died on January 19, 1996 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 77.^2,5,4 She AUSTIN, Marie Sowers, 77, of Floyd, died Friday morning, January 19, 1996, at Montgomery County Regional Hospital. She was the widow of Clarence E. Austin. Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and Allen Smith, Pilot, Phyllis and Luther Bower, Floyd; five grandchildren, Joe Bower, Floyd, Christy Bower, Cookville, Tenn., Sherry Sue Smith, Anna Lee Smith, Lori Beth Smith, all of Pilot; one sister and brother-in-law, Glada and Nelson Hale, Check; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Stanley and Vera Sowers, Clinton and Illene Sowers, all of Christiansburg, Oscar B. (Tom) and Imogene Sowers, Floyd; three sisters-in-law, Elva Sowers, Allene Epperly, both of Floyd, Garnett Ghamo, California; several nieces and nephews. Funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, Floyd, with the Rev. Lawrence Nuckles and the Rev. Elbert L. Naff officiating. Interment in the Red Oak Grove Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Wood Funeral Home. on January 20, 1996.⁵

     Clarence Edwin Austin was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,6 He was born on April 24, 1915 at Floyd Co., Virginia.³ He married Marie A. Sowers, daughter of Fitzhugh Lee "Fitz" Sowers and Ruby Alvie Howery, on October 2, 1948 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,6,7 Clarence Edwin Austin died on August 11, 1990 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 75.^6,1 He Clarence Edwin Austin, age 75, died Saturday, August 11, 1990, in Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was a veteran of World War II, a retired plumber of 26 years and co-owner of Sowers & Austin. Surviving are his wife, Marie Sowers Austin, Floyd; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and Allen Smith, Pilot; Phyllis and Luther Bower, Floyd; five grandchildren; two sisters, Allene Epperly, Floyd; Garnett Ghamo, California. Funeral services will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. in Wood Funeral Home with the Rev. Alfred Furr and the Rev. Elbert L. Naff officiating with interment in the Red Oak Grove Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, Floyd. on August 12, 1990.⁶

     Lee Roy "Leroy" Conner was born on June 14, 1873 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,2,3 He married Mary F. Burnett on December 12, 1901 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,3 Lee Roy "Leroy" Conner died on July 30, 1958 at Willis, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 85.³

     Mary F. Burnett was buried at Conner Burial Ground, Floyd Co., Virginia.³ She was born on September 21, 1880 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 She married Lee Roy "Leroy" Conner on December 12, 1901 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of December 12, 1901,her married name was Conner.² Mary F. Burnett died on April 10, 1917 at Burks Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 36.³

     Eliza Elizabeth Poff was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,5 She was born on January 19, 1819 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁵ She married Adam Furrow, son of Mathias Furrow and Barbara Weaver, on December 17, 1835 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of December 17, 1835,her married name was Furrow. Eliza Elizabeth Poff died on November 18, 1893 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 74.⁵

     Marshall Vernon Conner was buried at Highland Memory Gardens, 5555 Lee Highway, Dublin, Pulaski Co., Virginia.^8,3,5,9 His Social Security Number was 234-22-1892.¹⁰ He was born on February 21, 1922 at Simpsons, Floyd Co., Virginia.^{11,1,10,8,5,6,9,7,12} He married Oweeda Pearl Gearheart, daughter of Arthur Curtis "Curt" Gearheart and Pearlie Jane Vest, on July 5, 1941 at Riner, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{11,1,2,3,4,13,5} Marshall Vernon Conner died on August 14, 1973 at Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia, at age 51.^1,3,8,5,9,7 He Marshall Vernon Conner, age 51, was dead on arrival at a Pulaski hospital, Tuesday, August 14, 1973. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Oweeda Gearheart Conner; two daughters, Mrs. Brenda G. Pickett, Hawaii, Mrs. Thelma G. Ratcliff, Pulaski; three sons, William E. Conner, Dublin, David *Y. Conner, Draper, Tony D. Conner, Pulaski; eight grandchildren, and his mother Mrs. Rosie Conner, Check. Interment at Highland Memorial Gardens, Dublin. on August 23, 1973.³

     Oweeda Pearl Gearheart was buried at Highland Memory Gardens, 5555 Lee Highway, Dublin, Pulaski Co., Virginia.^2,6 She was born on May 27, 1923 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,7,2,6,8 She married Marshall Vernon Conner, son of Rosa Dove "Rosie" Conner, on July 5, 1941 at Riner, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{1,3,7,9,10,2,11} As of July 5, 1941,her married name was Conner. Oweeda Pearl Gearheart died on March 20, 2017 at Pulaski Co., Virginia, at age 93.^2,6 She Oweeda Gearheart Conner, 93, of Thornspring Road in Pulaski was allowed to "go home" on Monday, March 20, 2017. She was born in Floyd County on May 27, 1923 to the late Curtis and Pearl Gearheart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Tex Conner and two special sons, David Vernon Conner and William Earl Conner. Also preceding her in death were three brothers, Lynwood, Wayne and Lewis Gearheart of Floyd, and a special sister, Ethelene Vest of Pilot. She was a hardworking homemaker all of her life. She loved to bake, and cook for her family. She also sewed, loved her flowers, and had many gardens that she used to can fruits and vegetables to feed her family. She was a member of Dora Highway Baptist Church, and loved the people there. She was always willing to help her neighbors and run with her children. She is survived by one son and daughter in law, Tony and Sabrina Conner of Dublin. Also two daughters and son in laws, Brenda and Larry Pickett of Lynchburg, and Thelma and Doug Ratcliff of Pulaski. Also two daughter-in-laws, Bonnie Mays of Christiansburg, and Sue Conner of Pulaski. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren, Todd Conner, Tammy Conner, Wendy and Charlie Roope, Matt and Sandy Conner all of Pulaski, Va. Also, Bud and Christine Pickett of Rustburg, Va. and Rusty Pickett and Maggie of Woodbridge, Va., Douglas Ratcliff II of Roanoke, and Sonny Ratcliff of New York, N.Y. Also Shannon and Brett Downey, and Emily and Thomas Gravley of Pulaski. Also Lucas and Amy Conner of Clifton Forge, and Jennifer and Jeff Capehart of Christiansburg. She was also blessed with 23 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Interment following at Highland Memory Gardens Dublin. on March 22, 2017.²