Person Page - 881

     His Social Security Number was 230-09-9675.² Elmer Bertrand Bess Sr. was buried at Sunrise Cemetery, Low Moor, Alleghany Co., Virginia.³ He was born on August 10, 1912 at Barbours Creek, Craig Co., Virginia.^3,2,1 He married Martha Jane Elmore, daughter of Giles Monroe Elmore and Minnie Florence Charlton, on November 3, 1933 at Covington, Alleghany Co., Virginia.^4,3 Elmer Bertrand Bess Sr. died on September 17, 1987 at Alleghany Co., Virginia, at age 75.^4,3

     Leo Edgar Kesler was buried at Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, Virginia.² His Social Security Number was 231-24-3816.¹⁰ He married Audrey Unknown.^11,6,2 Leo Edgar Kesler was born on May 14, 1927 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^7,10,2 He married Sadie Lucille Shank, daughter of Tonsaroyoo "Tonsa" "Bill" Shank and Evelyn Light, on September 2, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,3 Leo Edgar Kesler and Sadie Lucille Shank were divorced on July 22, 1957 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ Leo Edgar Kesler died on April 11, 2005 at Newport News, Virginia, at age 77.^10,2 He NEWPORT NEWS - Leo Edgar Kesler, born in Salem, May 14, 1927, and a longtime resident of Newport News, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2005. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Hatcher Kesler, and his son, Larry Kesler. Mr. Kesler served in the U.S. Navy as an Electrician's Mate Third Class (CB) and worked for N & W Railroad for 10 years. He retired from the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. in 1987 after 35 years of service. Mr. Kesler was an avid golfer and bowler both duckpin and tenpin. He is survived by his wife, Audrey C. Kesler; his mother, Laura Sears Kesler of Salem; his son, Rodney L. Kesler and his wife, Peggy, of Check; his daughters, Christina L. Cleary and her husband, Bill, of Newport News and Joylene L. Chappell and her husband, Frank, of Seaford; three grandchildren, Sarah E. Bergeron and her husband, Stuart, of Blacksburg, Matthew T. Kesler and his wife, Anitra, of Check and Tanya K. Hicks and her husband, Derrick, of Check; three stepchildren, Rebecca P. Turlington and her husband, Randy, of Newport News, Michelle Poole of Newport News and Jeffrey S. Poole and his wife, Jenny, of Gloucester; four step-grandchildren, Samantha E. Turlington, Leigh A. Turlington, John S. Poole and Justin S. Poole. Mr. Kesler also leaves behind a wealth of friends he cherished each and every day of his life. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, at Weymouth Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, at Peninsula Memorial Park with the Pastor Don Stuppy officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family wish contributions to be made to Personal Touch Hospice, 732 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite 203, Newport News, VA 23606. The family also wish to express their appreciation for the comforting care given to them from Chris Kling, Toni Garner, Michelle Wells and Carol Geisman, all from Personal Touch Hospice. on April 13, 2005.²

     Leila Aleia Prillaman was buried at Crossroads Church Cemetery (also known as Prillaman Cemetery), Hummingbird Lane, south of Rt. 221, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁶ She FUNERAL SERVICES HELD FOR YOUNG GIRL KILLED IN FALL FROM HIGH CLIFF - The death of Leila Aleia Prillaman, age 15, lovely daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Prillaman of Copper Hill vicinity, Tuesday morning about 11 a.m., Aug 25th (Tuesday was on Aug 24), was a shock to all citizens of this county, not only to relatives, near friends, but to every parent hearing of it. A tragedy never exceeded in our history. With a friend, Cornelia Martin, the daughter of Mrs. Flossie Martin of Baltimore, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Cannaday of Copper Hill, the two girls went to Carr's Falls (usually known as Twin Falls), two miles west of Copper Hill for an outing. Reaching there they started at the bottom of the falls to climb to the top - a distance of 500 feet. Miss Prillaman had reached about 200 feet upwards, when she lost her footing and with a piercing shriek, she fell to the bottom of the falls in her downward plunge, cutting a gash in her temple. Miss Martin who was within just a few feet of her in their climb, witnessed the fall, and knowing she was unable to do anything to assist, climbed to the top and ran a half mile to the home of John Perdue where she telephoned the father of Leila that "she had fallen over the falls." Rushing to the scene, Mr. Prillaman went to the pool where the body of his daughter lay and with the assistance of John Perdue, who had preceded him to the scene, they carried the body to the bank. The coroner, Dr. J. M. Harman, Commonwealth Attorney J. H. Poff went to the scene of the accident and the release of the body was ordered. The body was then brought to Maberry Funeral Home, here, prepared for burial and then carried to her home. Harman stated death was not caused by drowning. Other than her parents, the survivors are four brothers, Thornton Prillaman, Pittsburgh; John, Baltimore, Sailor Alton Prillaman, Great Lakes Naval Training Station; D. Q. Prillaman at home; a sister, Miss Virginia Alice Prillaman, a student nurse of Jefferson hospital, Roanoke. Miss Prillaman was a second year student of Check High School, and was a lovable, popular girl with many friends. The funeral services were conducted Thursday, 4 p.m. August 26th, in the home of her parents, followed with interment in the Cross Roads cemetery, the rites conducted by the Reverends Noah Conner of Riner, and S. F. Friedley of Locust Grove. In their bereavement the family has the sympathy of every mother and father in this county. The pallbearers were: Wade Poff, Cleophus Conner, Waynard Poff, Perry Conner, Bill Carr, Layne Board. Flower bearers: Mary Frances Conner, Dianna Lawrence, Marian Jean McNeil, Beulah Austin, Katherine Link, Beulah Mae Conner, Glenna Vest, Juanita Poff, Emmie Lou Weddle, Garnet Austin, Virginia Howery, Grace Settle, Rheba Hutts, June Howery, Pauline Vest and Marie Poff.¹ She was born on April 23, 1928 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,9,6 She died on August 24, 1943 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 15; Killed in a tragic fall over Twin Falls, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,9,6

     Elizabeth Anderson was buried at Radford Cemetery, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 888, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on February 17, 1832 at Franklin Co., Virginia.² She married Lewis A. Radford, son of Robert Radford and Elenor Underwood, on June 24, 1850 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ As of June 24, 1850,her married name was Radford. Elizabeth Anderson died on September 11, 1925 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 93.^2,3

     Donald Quinn "D. Q." Prillaman was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on October 4, 1930 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,1 He married Jean Arbra Lumsden on December 26, 1953 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,1,2,10 Donald Quinn "D. Q." Prillaman died on November 21, 2004 at Orlando, Orange Co., Florida, at age 74.¹ He Donald Quinn "D. Q." Prillaman 74, of Orlando, Fla. passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 21, 2004. He was born in Copper Hill, Va. on October 4, 1930 to John Tyler and Elvada Prillaman. He was an engineer with Martin Marietta for over 30 years and a Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean Lumsden Prillaman; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Marc Benigno, Tampa, Fla; son Mark Prillaman, New York City; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Carl Seibert, Oviedo, Fla; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Frank Carmack, Roanoke, Va; brother and sister-in-law, John and Peggy Prillaman, New Kent, Va; sister-in-law, Pauline Prillaman, Lynchburg, Va. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, November 27, 2004 at Gardner Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg Mills officiating. Interment will follow in Restvale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Gardner Funeral Home. Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, is in charge of arrangements. on November 26, 2004.¹

     Mary Owens was born circa 1783 at Virginia. She married Nelson Moran on December 20, 1802 at Amherst Co., Virginia.¹ As of December 20, 1802,her married name was Moran. Mary Owens died circa 1838.

     Joseph Ameriah "Joe" Conner was buried at New Gray Cemetery, 2724 Western Avenue, Knoxville, Knox Co., Tennessee.^4,5 His Social Security Number was 408-66-1917.⁵ He married Carrie Unknown.⁴ Joseph Ameriah "Joe" Conner was born on February 3, 1899 at Andersonville, Anderson Co., Tennessee.^3,4,5 He died on February 9, 1962 at LaFollette, Campbell Co., Tennessee, at age 63.^4,5

     William Curtis Conner was buried at Lynch Bethel Cemetery, Knox Co., Tennessee.^2,3 He was born on June 30, 1901 at Tennessee.^2,3 He married Lottie B. Pettiford circa 1925.^5,3 William Curtis Conner died on July 7, 1961 at Knoxville, Knox Co., Tennessee, at age 60.^2,3

     His Social Security Number was 716-16-0343.⁴ Samuel Cecil "Sam" Conner was buried at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania.⁴ He was born on May 3, 1903 at Scarboro, Anderson Co., Tennessee.⁴ He married Elva Marie Allen circa 1929.^6,2 Samuel Cecil "Sam" Conner died on April 13, 1966 at New Sewickley Township, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania, at age 62.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 296-07-5627.³ Zack Earl Conner married Hazel Mildred Roher.^6,7 Zack Earl Conner was born on November 3, 1905 at Scarboro, Anderson Co., Tennessee.^3,4 He died on November 4, 1972 at Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, at age 67; The SSDI has a death date of Nov 15, 1972.^3,8

     John Merritt Walters was born circa 1859 at Virginia.¹ He married Miriam S. Druscilla "Mary" "Dru" Walters, daughter of Hiram Walters and Druzilla C. Booth, on August 28, 1878 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ John Merritt Walters died in 1887.

     Lottie B. Pettiford was buried at Lynch Bethel Cemetery, Knox Co., Tennessee.¹ Her Social Security Number was 412-30-4720.³ She was born on October 12, 1909 at Tennessee.^4,3,1 She married William Curtis Conner, son of William James Conner and Miriam S. Druscilla "Mary" "Dru" Walters, circa 1925.^4,2 As of circa 1925,her married name was Conner.⁴ Lottie B. Pettiford died on August 15, 1995 at age 85.^3,1

     Albert L. Puckett was born in 1871 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He married Callie Manda Wilson, daughter of Daniel Wilson and Elizabeth "Betsy" Sowder, on October 1, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹