Charles Hylton Mitchell

M, b. August 6, 1916, d. July 4, 1973
     Charles Hylton Mitchell was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.1 He was born on August 6, 1916 at Floyd Co., Virginia.2,1 He married Geneva Zorene Sowers, daughter of Harley Dorson Sowers and Bessie Mary Howery, on March 25, 1939 at Floyd Co., Virginia.2,3 Charles Hylton Mitchell died on July 4, 1973 at age 56.1

Occupation

1939Farmer2

Family

Geneva Zorene Sowers b. October 28, 1921, d. November 21, 2008
Marriage*Charles Hylton Mitchell married Geneva Zorene Sowers, daughter of Harley Dorson Sowers and Bessie Mary Howery, on March 25, 1939 at Floyd Co., Virginia.2,3 
Child
  • Lewis Wayne Mitchell4,3

Citations

  1. [S328] Donna J. Robertson, Tombstone Inscriptions of Floyd County, Virginia.
  2. [S12] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 5, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  3. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Geneva S. Mitchell obituary in the Nov 24, 2008 edition.
  4. [S13] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 6, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.

Geneva Zorene Sowers

F, b. October 28, 1921, d. November 21, 2008
FatherHarley Dorson Sowers1,2 b. May 18, 1892, d. August 21, 1951
MotherBessie Mary Howery1,2 b. June 7, 1893, d. March 31, 1977
     Her Social Security Number was 230-03-4951.3 Geneva Zorene Sowers was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.4 She was born on October 28, 1921 at Floyd Co., Virginia.5,4,3 She married Charles Hylton Mitchell on March 25, 1939 at Floyd Co., Virginia.1,4 As of March 25, 1939,her married name was Mitchell. Geneva Zorene Sowers died on November 21, 2008 at Virginia at age 87.4,3 She Geneva S. Mitchell, 87, of Salem, passed away Friday, November 21, 2008. She was born October 28, 1921 in Floyd County where she lived until 1966. Preceding her in death was husband Charles Mitchell, brother, Basil Sowers, and sisters, Evelyn Walters, Lavetta Phelps, and Aldene Vest, and grandson, James Mitchell. Surviving are her five children, Sue (Ed) Nolen of Salem, Wayne Mitchell of Athens, Ga., John (Connie) Mitchell of Floyd, Nancy (Larry) Costigan of Christiansburg, and Michael (Christine) Mitchell of Lake Worth, Fla. Also left to mourn are brother, Chester (Claudine) Sowers, and sister, Joy (Paul) Huff all of Floyd, nine grandchildren, 11 greatgrandchildren, and one greatgreat-granddaughter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Staff at Richfield Nursing Home, Salem, especially to niece, Martha Altizer, for the wonderful care Geneva received. Visitation will be at Maberry Funeral Home Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral services will be at Maberry Funeral Home Monday, November 24, 2008 at 1 p.m., the Rev. Richard Gregory officiating. Interment well follow at Jacksonville Cemetery, Floyd. Flowers are appreciated or you may consider a memorial contribution of your choice. Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd. Online condolences may be sent to www.maberryfuneralhome.com on November 24, 2008.4

Family

Charles Hylton Mitchell b. August 6, 1916, d. July 4, 1973
Marriage*She married Charles Hylton Mitchell on March 25, 1939 at Floyd Co., Virginia.1,4 
Child
  • Lewis Wayne Mitchell6,4

Citations

  1. [S12] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 5, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  2. [S116] Floyd Press, From the Bessie Howery Sowers obituary in the Apr 7, 1977 edition.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Geneva S. Mitchell obituary in the Nov 24, 2008 edition.
  5. [S328] Donna J. Robertson, Tombstone Inscriptions of Floyd County, Virginia.
  6. [S13] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 6, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.

Octavia Vanna Brown1,2

F, b. March 6, 1855, d. November 4, 1942
FatherElijah Brown3,1,2,4 b. March 9, 1815, d. March 8, 1875
MotherMarguerite Ann "Margie" Argabright3,1,2 b. circa 1820, d. after 1900
     Octavia Vanna Brown was buried at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, 635 Needmore Lane NE, Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.5,2 She was born on March 6, 1855 at Montgomery Co., Virginia; The Argabright book has a birth date of Mar 5, 1855.3,5,1,2,4 She married William Washington Kingrea, son of Hosea Kingrea and Mary "Polly" Walters, on December 7, 1872 at Floyd Co., Virginia.3,1,2 As of December 7, 1872,her married name was Kingrea. Octavia Vanna Brown died on November 4, 1942 at Giatto, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 87; The death date in the Tombstone and Argabright books is Nov 14, 1943.5,2,4

Census Records

1890Little River, Floyd Co., Virginia6

Family

William Washington Kingrea b. January 3, 1851, d. November 25, 1923
Marriage*Octavia Vanna Brown married William Washington Kingrea, son of Hosea Kingrea and Mary "Polly" Walters, on December 7, 1872 at Floyd Co., Virginia.3,1,2 
Children

Citations

  1. [S16] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 3, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  2. [S342] Researcher and Compiler William Harvey Green Sylvia Gearheart Albert, Argabright Family of Floyd, Franklin, and Montgomery Counties, Virginia.
  3. [S587] Anthony Kent Stephens (e-mail address), Descendants of Abraham Kingrea.
  4. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Octavia Kingrea death certificate.
  5. [S328] Donna J. Robertson, Tombstone Inscriptions of Floyd County, Virginia.
  6. [S131] Virginia Court House abbreviated copy on file at Floyd Co., 1890 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S2415] Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, online https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1708698
  8. [S549] Beth Fridley, Floyd Co., Virginia, Birth Records, 1873-1879.
  9. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.
  10. [S8] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 4, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  11. [S349] Erma C. Sowers, A Report on the Descendants of Henry Iddings and Abigail Richardson.
  12. [S732] Montgomery News Messenger, From the Hattie Kingrea Conner obituary in the Feb 19, 1959 edition.
  13. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Hattie Margie Conner death certificate.
  14. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  15. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Eldridge Mullens Kingrea death certificate.

Clyde Harlan Smythers Jr.1,2,3

M, b. December 10, 1949, d. August 12, 2014
     Clyde Harlan Smythers Jr. was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.3 He was born on December 10, 1949 at Danville, Virginia.1,2,3 He married Rebecca Ann "Becky" West, daughter of John William West and Esther Mae Whitlow, on February 10, 1973 at Radford, Virginia.1,4,5 Clyde Harlan Smythers Jr. died on August 12, 2014 at Virginia at age 64.3 He Clyde H. Smythers Jr. of Blacksburg passed away unexpectedly on August 12, 2014. He was born in Danville, Va., on December 10, 1949, grew up in Floyd, Va., and graduated from Floyd County High School in 1968. He attended VA Tech and earned a BA degree in 1972. He was a devoted family member and his survivors include his wife of 41 years, Becky of Blacksburg; daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Jeff Naiman and grandson, Ryan; mother and step-father, Nelva and Calvin Gardner of Floyd; two step-brothers, Tommy Gardner of Floyd and Gerry Gardner of Fishersville; special aunt and uncle Betty and Bob Hower of Lewes, Del., father-in-law, John West of Roanoke, and many cousins and in-laws. Clyde worked for four banks during his long career and was currently employed as a commercial loan officer with Carter Bank and Trust in Christiansburg, Va. He leaves behind a myriad of current and past customers who appreciated his cordial, personality and strong work ethic. Clyde was a member of the Blacksburg Rotary Club, where he served on various committees and positions. Clyde had many interests, especially sports. He was a loyal Hokie fan and enjoyed attending all athletic events, but especially football and basketball. Clyde was a faithful member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher captain. He also coached and played on the church softball league in both the summer and Fall seasons. A Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home in Floyd, Va. The Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Blacksburg United Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Carson officiating. An interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery in Floyd, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Blacksburg United Methodist Church or the American Stroke Association. Online condolences can be made to the family at gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home , Floyd, Va., 540-745-2007. on August 15, 2014.3

Family

Rebecca Ann "Becky" West
Marriage*He married Rebecca Ann "Becky" West, daughter of John William West and Esther Mae Whitlow, on February 10, 1973 at Radford, Virginia.1,4,5 
Child
  • Erin Melissa Smythers5,3

Citations

  1. [S10] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 7, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  2. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  3. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Clyde H. Smythers, Jr. obituary in the Aug 15, 2014 edition.
  4. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Esther Whitlow West obituary in the Jul 16, 2011 edition.
  5. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the John William West obituary in the Feb 3, 2016 edition.

Calohill Minnis Epperly1,2

M, b. May 2, 1882, d. August 17, 1968
FatherJohn William Epperly3,4 b. June 29, 1856, d. December 31, 1931
MotherNancy A. Cannaday3,4 b. June 19, 1854, d. February 18, 1928
     His Social Security Number was 227-62-2369.5 Calohill Minnis Epperly was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.1 He was born on May 2, 1882 at Floyd Co., Virginia.5,1,4,2 He married Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday, daughter of Tazewell Howard Cannaday and Julia Ann Foster, on October 4, 1908 at Floyd Co., Virginia.4 Calohill Minnis Epperly died on August 17, 1968 at age 86.1

Census Records

1890Jacksonville, Floyd Co., Virginia6

Family

Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday b. August 10, 1885, d. December 7, 1982
Marriage*Calohill Minnis Epperly married Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday, daughter of Tazewell Howard Cannaday and Julia Ann Foster, on October 4, 1908 at Floyd Co., Virginia.4 
Child

Citations

  1. [S328] Donna J. Robertson, Tombstone Inscriptions of Floyd County, Virginia.
  2. [S533] National Archives and Records Administration, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-18.
  3. [S116] Floyd Press, From the Nancy Cannaday Epperly obituary in the Feb 23, 1928 edition.
  4. [S8] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 4, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  5. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  6. [S131] Virginia Court House abbreviated copy on file at Floyd Co., 1890 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S12] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 5, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  8. [S306] Ora Belle Mayberry McColman and Others, Emera Altizer of Montgomery Co., VA and Some of his Descendants 1736-1997.

Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday1

F, b. August 10, 1885, d. December 7, 1982
FatherTazewell Howard Cannaday1 b. September 10, 1852, d. December 24, 1933
MotherJulia Ann Foster1 b. December 10, 1863, d. December 28, 1939
     Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.2 Her Social Security Number was 229-72-5325.3 She was born on August 10, 1885 at Floyd Co., Virginia.3,2,1 She married Calohill Minnis Epperly, son of John William Epperly and Nancy A. Cannaday, on October 4, 1908 at Floyd Co., Virginia.1 As of October 4, 1908,her married name was Epperly. Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday died on December 7, 1982 at age 97.2

Census Records

1890Jacksonville, Floyd Co., Virginia4

Family

Calohill Minnis Epperly b. May 2, 1882, d. August 17, 1968
Marriage*Lennie Elizabeth Cannaday married Calohill Minnis Epperly, son of John William Epperly and Nancy A. Cannaday, on October 4, 1908 at Floyd Co., Virginia.1 
Child

Citations

  1. [S8] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 4, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  2. [S328] Donna J. Robertson, Tombstone Inscriptions of Floyd County, Virginia.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S131] Virginia Court House abbreviated copy on file at Floyd Co., 1890 United States Federal Census.
  5. [S12] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 5, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  6. [S306] Ora Belle Mayberry McColman and Others, Emera Altizer of Montgomery Co., VA and Some of his Descendants 1736-1997.

Richard Davis Hamden Jr.1,2,3,4

M, b. March 22, 1928, d. April 26, 1987
     Richard Davis Hamden Jr. was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.4 His Social Security Number was 236-32-0326.5 He was born on March 22, 1928 at Kimball, McDowell Co., West Virginia.2,5,3 He married Myra Phyllis Wickham, daughter of George Schuyler Wickham and Beatrice Prillaman, on September 4, 1949 at Roanoke, Virginia.2,6,4 Richard Davis Hamden Jr. died on April 26, 1987 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 59.5,4 He Richard D. Hamden Jr., 59, of 305 N. Third St., Princeton, died Sunday at his home. Born in Kimball, he was the son of Richard D. Hamden of Kimball and Hattie Mae Thompson Hamden of Princeton. He was a retired band director at Athens High School with 30 years of service and was a member of the West Virginia Band Directors Association. He was a member of Princeton Elks Lodge No. 1459, and Maranatha Baptist Church of Princeton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Wickham Hamden, in 1982. Survivors: daughters, Vicki Karagianis of Manassas, Va., Mrs. Howard (Babs) Smith of Clarksburg, Mrs. Tim (Tina) Thompson of Lerona and Mrs. Henry (Sheila) Grossek of Parkersburg; sisters, Mrs. Sylvia Coon and Bebe Hamden, both of Princeton, and Mrs. Zelma Black of Troy, Ohio; six grandchildren. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. on April 27, 1987.4

Family

Myra Phyllis Wickham b. September 24, 1928, d. December 7, 1982
Marriage*He married Myra Phyllis Wickham, daughter of George Schuyler Wickham and Beatrice Prillaman, on September 4, 1949 at Roanoke, Virginia.2,6,4 
Children
  • Tina Hamden7,6,4
  • Barbara Hamden6,4
  • Shelia Hamden7,6,4
  • Vicki Diane Hamden1,6,4

Citations

  1. [S32] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 8, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  2. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  3. [S3706] 1926–1975, RG 147. The National Archives at Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Records of the Selective Service System, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.
  4. [S345] Bluefield Daily Telegraph, From the Richard D. Hamden, Jr. obituary in the Apr 27, 1987 edition.
  5. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  6. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Phyllis Wickham Hamden obituary in the Dec 9, 1982 edition.
  7. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Beatrice Prillaman Wickham obituary in the Dec 27, 2000 edition.

Soloman Medad Prillaman1

M, b. October 2, 1876, d. February 28, 1957
     Soloman Medad Prillaman was born on October 2, 1876 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.1 He married Mary Lou Paster on December 23, 1896 at Franklin Co., Virginia. Soloman Medad Prillaman died on February 28, 1957 at age 80.

Family

Mary Lou Paster
Marriage*He married Mary Lou Paster on December 23, 1896 at Franklin Co., Virginia. 
Child

Citations

  1. [S533] National Archives and Records Administration, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-18.
  2. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Beatrice Prillaman Wickham obituary in the Dec 27, 2000 edition.

Anita Page Wickham1,2,3,4,5,6

F, b. November 8, 1931, d. October 25, 2007
FatherGeorge Schuyler Wickham1,2,6,7 b. February 2, 1903, d. September 25, 1966
MotherBeatrice Prillaman1,2,6,7 b. March 6, 1910, d. December 25, 2000
     Her Social Security Number was 223-38-7362.8 Anita Page Wickham was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.2 She was born on November 8, 1931 at Roanoke, Virginia.8,4,5,6 As of September 8, 1950,her married name was Booker.4 She married Richard Wayne "Dick" Booker on September 8, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.1,2,4 Anita Page Wickham died on October 25, 2007 at Maryland at age 75.2,8 She Anita Wickham Booker, 75, of Hanover, Maryland and formerly of Roanoke, Virginia died Thursday, October 25, 2007 after a long illness. Anita was preceded in death by her parents, George Skylar and Beatrice Prillaman Wickham and her sister, Phyllis W. Hamden. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 57 years, Richard (Dick) W. Booker; her daughters, Dana B. Naas and her husband, William of Nashua, New Hampshire; Linda G. Vienna and her husband, Angelo of Annapolis, Maryland; her grandchildren, Christina Vienna, Meghan, Terry and Stuart Naas. A graveside service will be held in Sherwood Memorial Park, Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. C. Nelson Harris officiating. The family will receive friends Monday, October 29, 2007 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel. 540-989-3131. on October 27, 2007.2

Family

Richard Wayne "Dick" Booker b. December 22, 1927, d. November 12, 2010
Marriage*She married Richard Wayne "Dick" Booker on September 8, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.1,2,4 
Children
  • Dana Lynne Booker1,2,3
  • Linda Gail Booker1,2,3

Citations

  1. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Beatrice Prillaman Wickham obituary in the Dec 27, 2000 edition.
  2. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Anita Wickham Booker obituary in the Oct 27, 2007 edition.
  3. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Richard Wayne Booker obituary in the Nov 13, 2010 edition.
  4. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  5. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  6. [S5223] Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  7. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Phyllis Wickham Hamden obituary in the Dec 9, 1982 edition.
  8. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.

Richard Wayne "Dick" Booker1,2,3,4,5,6,7

M, b. December 22, 1927, d. November 12, 2010
     Richard Wayne "Dick" Booker was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.3 He was born on December 22, 1927 at Roanoke, Virginia.4,5,7 He married Anita Page Wickham, daughter of George Schuyler Wickham and Beatrice Prillaman, on September 8, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.1,2,7 Richard Wayne "Dick" Booker died on November 12, 2010 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 82.3,6 He Richard Wayne (Dick) Booker, 82, of Roanoke, Va., died November 12, 2010, at The Park Oak Grove Retirement Community. Dick was a graduate of Jefferson High School and, during World War II, served on a ship in the United States Navy. After retiring from Westinghouse Corporation, Dick enjoyed vegetable gardening, collecting model trains and traveling with his late wife. A resident of Hanover, Md. for more than 50 years, he moved back to Roanoke, Va. in 2009. Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Anita (Wickham) Booker, also from Roanoke, Va; brother, Edwin Booker; and sisters, Dorothy (Booker) Crews and Nancy (Booker) Stiness. Dick is survived by his daughters, Dana (Booker) Naas and Linda (Booker) Vienna; four grandchildren, Christina Vienna, Meghan, Terry and Stuart Naas; sisters, Adrienne (Booker) Umberger and Joyce (Booker) Griffin; and brother, Rodney Booker. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at Oakey's South Chapel. Graveside services will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Va. on Monday, November 15, 2010, at 11 a.m. on November 13, 2010.3

Family

Anita Page Wickham b. November 8, 1931, d. October 25, 2007
Marriage*He married Anita Page Wickham, daughter of George Schuyler Wickham and Beatrice Prillaman, on September 8, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.1,2,7 
Children
  • Dana Lynne Booker1,2,3
  • Linda Gail Booker1,2,3

Citations

  1. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Beatrice Prillaman Wickham obituary in the Dec 27, 2000 edition.
  2. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Anita Wickham Booker obituary in the Oct 27, 2007 edition.
  3. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Richard Wayne Booker obituary in the Nov 13, 2010 edition.
  4. [S3706] 1926–1975, RG 147. The National Archives at Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Records of the Selective Service System, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.
  5. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  6. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.
  7. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.

Charles Carl Dunaway1

M, b. January 14, 1949, d. January 25, 2025
     Charles Carl Dunaway Charles Carl Dunaway, Jan 14, 1949 - Jan 25, 2025. Charles Carl Dunaway, 76, passed from this life on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at his farm in Willis, Virginia. Charley was born on January 14, 1949 in Taylorville, Illinois to Zebert Edgar Dunaway and Odessa Irene Wilhour Dunaway. The family lived on a farm that his dad cultivated in Owaneco, Illinois. Charley was active on the farm, learning mechanical, carpentry and other skills that he was able to use throughout his life. He attended Taylorville Senior High School and graduated in 1967, after which he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany and Vietnam. He served for three years in the 101st Airborne Division and was honorably discharged in 1971. After returning to the US, Charley was married four times, first to Mary Elaine Miller. His second wife was Cynthia Bingham, who was Colby Dunaway’s mother. After exploring and working in the West for several years, he purchased his farm in Willis and moved there in 1977. His third marriage was to Dreema Puckett, the mother of Shawn, Odessa, Jacob and Courtney Dunaway. In 1993, Charley married Vicki Hamden Karagianis in the newly established Friends (Quaker) Meeting in Floyd. They enjoyed an adventurous life together, first living just outside of Floyd and then moving back to his farm in Willis. Charley had worked for years as an electrical foreman until he broke both legs in a fall off a roof. After initial recovery from that injury, he began doing odd jobs for friends in Floyd County, but he was never able to return to industrial electrical work. After buying a milk cow and learning to make cheese, Charley helped Vicki set up a cheese-making plant in Willis known as Ladybug MicroCreamery. They sold cheese, eggs and vegetables at the Blacksburg Farmers’ Market and other local outlets, including the Harvest Moon in Floyd. In 2007, they sold the business and moved to Hawaii to work on a small goat dairy farm, where they stayed until 2011. When they moved back to the mainland, Vicki relocated to Oregon to be close to her daughter from a previous marriage. Since then, Charley divided his time between staying with Vicki in Oregon during the winter and on his farm in Willis, to be close to his children and grandchildren and to plant a big garden every summer. Throughout his life, Charley was intensely interested in Nature and growing and foraging food. When young, he hunted wild animals for food and also loved gathering morel mushrooms with his family near their home. Later he belonged to the American Chestnut Society, The North American Fruit Explorers, the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, and the Cascade Mycological Society in Oregon. He enjoyed experimenting with new crops and fruit trees and saving his own seed, as well as cooking and processing the food that he grew. In Oregon he learned to crab and dig clams, and took pleasure in learning new edible mushrooms and wild plants. Charley Dunaway was preceded in death by both of his parents, as well as by two sisters, Mary Carol and Susan. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Hamden Dunaway, his wife of over 30 years. Also surviving are his five children: Colby Dunaway, who lives in Eugene, Oregon; Shawn Dunaway is a resident of North Carolina. Odessa Dunaway resides in Virginia with her two children, George and Gabriella. Jacob Dunaway resides on Charley’s farm with his wife Connie and their two children, Rachel and Ethon. Courtney Dunaway Hatch lives in Texas with her husband, James, and their children, Mackenzie, Jaxon, Seth and Alexandria. Also surviving are a living sister – Jeanne Dunaway Rehling of Owaneco – and four living brothers: Lynn, Gerald, Robert (Bob) and Elmer Dunaway, all of Taylorville. Charley was a sweet, gentle man who will be missed. As his brother Bob wrote: “Elmer says that Charley was his hero. That is probably true for all of us. He was older, wiser, and braver than the rest of us. He led us, pushed us, and walked with us. Charley was always teaching; eager to share his vast knowledge with family and others. ”.2 He was born on January 14, 1949 at Taylorville, Christian Co., Illinois.1,2 He married Vicki Diane Hamden, daughter of Richard Davis Hamden Jr. and Myra Phyllis Wickham, on April 17, 1993 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.1,2 Charles Carl Dunaway died on January 25, 2025 at Willis, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 76.2

Family

Vicki Diane Hamden
Marriage*He married Vicki Diane Hamden, daughter of Richard Davis Hamden Jr. and Myra Phyllis Wickham, on April 17, 1993 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.1,2 

Citations

  1. [S32] Floyd Co., Virginia Court House, Book 8, Floyd Co., Virginia Marriage Records.
  2. [S4212] Gardner Funeral Home, online http://www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com, From the Charles Carl Dunaway obituary.