Person Page - 1534

     Creasie Alice Dalton was born on June 18, 1918 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of February 7, 1973,her married name was Aldridge.¹ She married Billie Andrew "Bill" Aldridge Sr., son of Charles Walker "Charlie" Aldridge and Grace Prudence "Gracie" Palmer, on February 7, 1973 at Frederick Co., Virginia.¹ Creasie Alice Dalton died on January 6, 1995 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 76.² She ALDRIDGE, C. Alice, 76, of Roanoke, died late Friday, January 6, 1995, at Lewis Gale Hospital. Born in Floyd County, she had lived in Roanoke most of her life. She had been employed with Leggett Department Stores for several years. Survivors include her husband, Billie A. Aldridge of Roanoke; stepchildren, Billie A. Aldridge Jr. of Henderson, Ken., Mike K. Aldridge of Salem, Daniel G. Aldridge of Denver, Colo., Timothy S. Aldridge, Brian G. Aldridge, both of Roanoke, Jenny S. Hall of Botetourt; 10 stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; a brother, Jessie Dalton of Daleville; a sister, Bertha Harper of Madison Heights; a special friend, Dee Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 9, 1995, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey and Son in Salem with the Rev. Scott Taylor officiating. The family received friends from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, S alem. on January 9, 1995.²

     Michael Kent "Mike" Aldridge married Pam Unknown.^2,3 Michael Kent "Mike" Aldridge was born on August 9, 1950 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,5 He married Betty Louise Rhodes on January 17, 1969 at Chesterfield, Chesterfield Co., South Carolina.⁵ Michael Kent "Mike" Aldridge and Betty Louise Rhodes were divorced on December 28, 1984 at Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ Michael Kent "Mike" Aldridge died on November 4, 2012 at Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 62.^3,6 He Our Wonderful Husband, Father, and Grandfather, who loved to travel and see new places, has taken his final trip. Michael K. Aldridge, 62, of Salem, left to go on a final, glorious voyage into Heaven on Sunday morning, November 4, 2012. Mike was at home surrounded by his loving family. Although he will be missed here on earth, we know he has brightened up Heaven with his happiness and sense of humor. Mike is survived by his wife, Pam Aldridge; daughter, Mary Switzer (Gene); son, Michael Aldridge (Iris); grandson, Allen Aliff; granddaughter, MyKena Aldridge; mother, Dorothy Ayers; stepdaughters, Teresa Huffman (Tony), and Jill Tincher; stepson, Brian (Gary) Tincher and wife, Missy; step grandchildren, Cassie Tincher, James Ferris, Kelly Tincher, Skyler Tincher, Trevor Huffman, Hunter Huffman, Tabitha Hale, Matthew Hale, Cheyenne Hale, and Katelyn Howell; bothers, Bill Aldridge (Becky), Timmy Aldridge (Christine), Brian Aldridge (Pam), and Daniel Aldridge (Colleen); sister, Jenny Hall (Jay); and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. The Memorial Service will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at Salem Church of Christ, 401 West Main Street, Salem, Va. on November 7, 2012.³

     His Social Security Number was 227-12-3627.² Martin Mildridge Slusher married Vivian Margaret Gray, daughter of Benjamin Alphonzo Prentice "Byron" Gray Sr. and Hattie Hulda Williams.³ Martin Mildridge Slusher was born on January 26, 1910 at Floyd Co., Virginia.² He died on August 23, 1984 at age 74.²

     Bessie Lee Pruett was buried at Lawrence Memorial Cemetery, off Rt. 221, Coble Trail, Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^6,3,5 She was born on August 6, 1912 at Roanoke Co., Virginia; Her gravestone has a birth date of Aug 9, 1912.^6,2,3,4 As of October 18, 1932,her married name was Hale.² She married Charles Edward "Shine" Hale, son of William M. Hale and Vioma Tilda Conner, on October 18, 1932 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5 Bessie Lee Pruett died on February 26, 1984 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 71.^6,3,5 She Bessie Lee Pruett Hale, age 71, of Bent Mountain, Va., passed away Monday morning in a local hospital. She is preceded in death by a son, James Edward Hale. Surviving are her husband Charles E. Hale; three daughters, Mrs. Bernard (Polly) Hayden, Hardy, Mrs. Jessie (Betty) Conner, Mrs. Allen (Vioma) Nichols, both of Copper Hill; a brother, Joe Pruett, Balitmore, Md; nine grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren. Interment in Lawrence Family Cemetery, Bent Mountain. on February 27, 1984.⁵

     James Edward Hale was buried at Lawrence Memorial Cemetery, off Rt. 221, Coble Trail, Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on September 25, 1938 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,8,4 He died on September 28, 1957 at Alexandria, Virginia, at age 19.^2,8,5 He James Edward Hale, 19, of Bent Mountain, died Saturday night in an Alexandria hospital as a result of injuries received in an auto accident. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hale of Bent Mountain, and three sisters, Mrs. Samuel J. Lackey and Mrs. Jesse W. Conner Roanoke, and Miss Vioma Hale of Bent Mountain. Interment will be in Laurel Cemetery. on October 1, 1957.⁵

     Polly Ann Hale Polly Ann Hayden, 85, of Hardy, Va. passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Bessie Hale; and a brother, James Hale. Surviving are her loving husband, Bernard "Bernie" Hayden; sons, Hunter (Teresa) Lackey, and Vincent Lackey, I; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Conner and Vioma Nichols. Polly was a member of Oyler’s Chapel Church in Hardy, Virginia. She loved working with the children of the church, where she gave a presentation each week for them. She was also a dedicated worker at the churches Vacation Bible School. Polly worked many jobs during her lifetime. She work at Woolworth’s while taking night classes, then became a teacher’s aide at Tinker Creek Elementary School. She then went to work at Noble’s Flower Shop. She then transitioned to Watson Funeral Supply which led to becoming the warehouse manager at Batesville Casket Company. Although the one job that changed everything, was the job at an answering service where Bernie sweet talked her into marrying him in 1972. She was also a charter member for the Headstart program. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.⁵ She was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ She and Samuel James Lackey were divorced.³ Polly Ann Hale was born on December 17, 1933 at Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,3 As of October 28, 1952,her married name was Lackey.³ She married Samuel James Lackey on October 28, 1952 at Franklin Co., Virginia.³ As of September 9, 1972,her married name was Hayden.³ Polly Ann Hale married Bernard Hoffman Hayden on September 9, 1972 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,7,5 Polly Ann Hale died on November 2, 2019 at Hardy, Bedford Co., Virginia, at age 85.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 227-44-7721.⁶ Junior Allen Nichols was buried at Crossroads Church Cemetery (also known as Prillaman Cemetery), Hummingbird Lane, south of Rt. 221, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,5 He was born on January 7, 1936 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,5,6 He married Vioma Lee Hale, daughter of Charles Edward "Shine" Hale and Bessie Lee Pruett, on April 10, 1959 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 Junior Allen Nichols died on July 14, 1997 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 61.^4,5,6,7 He NICHOLS, Junior Allen, 61, of Copper Hill, died suddenly Monday, July 14, 1997 in a tractor accident. He was preceded in death by two sons, Glenn and Sidney Nichols. Surviving are his wife, Vioma Hale Nichols, Copper Hill; two sons and daughter-in-law, Tony Nichols, Roanoke, Kenneth and Karen Nichols, Christiansburg; two daughters and their husbands, Cristal and Rodney Huff of Pilot, Judy and David Perrin, Roanoke; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Larry Bell. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Betty Conner, Copper Hill, Polly and Bernie Hayden, Hardy; also many friends. Interment in the Crossroads Church Cemetery. on July 16, 1997.⁴

     Sidney Allen Nichols was buried at Crossroads Church Cemetery (also known as Prillaman Cemetery), Hummingbird Lane, south of Rt. 221, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 He was born on July 3, 1959 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 He died on December 25, 1985 at Wirtz, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 26.^2,3

     Christine Belle Bonds Christine Bonds McNeill, age 81 of Pilot, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022. She was born Monday, February 5, 1940 to the late Roscoe and Margaret Elizabeth Bonds. She is also preceded in death by her Husband James McDaniel McNeill. She is survived by her Children, Dreama Eanes, Daniel J. McNeill, Steven McNeill; grandchildren, Bradley Eanes, Angela Boyd, Elizabeth Hurt; great-grandchildren, Adriana Boyd, Spencer Boyd. A special thank you to Noble Nursing Home, Kindred and Hope Roop for your care of Christine. A Graveside service will be held at Huffville Cemetery.³ She was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 She was born on February 5, 1940 at Pulaski Co., Virginia.^2,3,4,5 As of June 6, 1959,her married name was McNeill.⁴ She married James McDaniel "Mac" McNeill, son of Thomas Jefferson "Bead" "Bebe" McNeil and Jennie Ella Virginia Yates, on June 6, 1959 at Radford, Virginia.^1,6,7,2,3,4 Christine Belle Bonds died on January 11, 2022 at Virginia at age 81.³

     Her Social Security Number was 226-01-7563.³ Elma Curtis Ferguson was buried at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Highway, Pensacola, Escambia Co., Florida.^4,5 She was born on January 11, 1913 at Bedford Co., Virginia.^3,6,4,2 As of July 8, 1933,her married name was Custer.² She married Freddie Bain "Fred" Custer, son of Joseph Harden Custer and Tabitha Frances Conner, on July 8, 1933 at Roanoke, Virginia.^7,2,5 Elma Curtis Ferguson died on December 15, 1997 at Pensacola, Escambia Co., Florida, at age 84.^3,6,4,5 She Elma F. Custer, 84 of Pensacola, died Monday, December 15, 1997. Mrs. Custer was born in Bedford County, Virginia and had resided in Pensacola since 1956, coming here from Roanoke, Virginia. She retired from Gayfers in 1978 and was a member of the Warrington Baptist Church for 40 years. Mrs. Custer was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Bain Custer. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, R.B. and Martha Custer of Pensacola, Fla; daughters and sons-in-law, Wanda C. and Don Haley of Irmo, South Carolina, Annette C. and Russell Fortney of Pensacola, Florida and Kathleen C. and Gaylen Phillips of Pensacola, Florida; grandchildren, Brian Haley, Lura Luker, Doug Haley, Kris Jernigan, Marcy Newsome, Kevin Edgar, and Bain Custer and seven great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Bayview Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Irv Page, Jim Page, Mike Thompson, Tim Smith, Rodney Brock and Bob Falkenberry. on December 17, 1997.⁵

     Clarence Russell Fortney was buried at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, Pensacola, Escambia Co., Florida.^3,4 He was born on June 28, 1939 at Wheeling, Ohio Co., West Virginia.³ He married Nira Annette Custer, daughter of Freddie Bain "Fred" Custer and Elma Curtis Ferguson, on January 14, 1995 at Escambia Co., Florida.^1,2,5,3 Clarence Russell Fortney died on September 13, 2019 at Pensacola, Escambia Co., Florida, at age 80.³ He PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - Clarence "Russ" Fortney was born in Wheeling WV on June 28, 1939 to Cecil E. and Clara E. Ware and died on September 13, 2019 after a short battle with lung cancer. He was married to Annette Custer Fortney for 24 years. Russ was married to Colleen Fortney (died 1992) for 33 years prior to her death. From this marriage they had two sons, Roger Fortney (Carie) and David Fortney. He had one grandson, Maron Fortney. Russ had a very colorful background. He joined the Navy in West Virginia in 1957 after graduating from Wheeling High School. He then graduated from Kent State in Kent, Ohio with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later attended Seminary at Duke University and graduated in 1978. While in the Navy, he was a Navy Seal. His duty assignments included the following: USS Purdy DD734; USS Guam LPH7; USS Ainsworth DE1059; USS W.E. Sims DE1062; USS Detroit DR7; USS Vulcan DR7; Steam Gen- erating plant inspector on the Boiler Appraiser team; Swift Boats for 2 years during tour in VietNam which was from 1974-1977 and was Casual Report Investigator during his last 10 years. His last 4 years were spent at Ellyson field as Master Chief of the Command. He retired in 1978 but was called back for Seal Duties on the Tiger Team twice after retirement. He was employed by various engineering firms after his retirement from the Navy. His appointments for the Methodist Church by the Alabama/West Florida conference included Midway United Methodist Church, Pleasant Grove UMC and Farmhill UMC. He then resigned from the Methodist church and had affiliation with the Presbyterian Church where he pastored at McElwain Presbyterian, Niceville/Valparaiso Presbyterian and Concord Presbyterian. He then joined Warrington Baptist Church as a member and later became the interim pastor until he became pastor at Beach Haven Baptist for 14 years. Russ is survived by his wife Annette and his two sons Roger (Carie) Fortney and David Fortney and his grandson, Maron Fortney. He is also survived by his step children, Kris Jernigan (Frank) and Kevin Edgar and his grand-children Morgan Jernigan, Gavin Jernigan and Kendall Edgar. Burial at Pensacola Memorial Gardens followed the service with full military honors. on September 17, 2019.³

     Gaylen Lee Phillips was buried at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Highway, Pensacola, Escambia Co., Florida.⁴ He was born on September 17, 1946 at Century, Escambia Co., Florida.⁴ He married Kathleen Marie Custer, daughter of Freddie Bain "Fred" Custer and Elma Curtis Ferguson, on March 15, 1975 at Escambia Co., Florida.^1,2,5 Gaylen Lee Phillips died on April 8, 2013 at Pensacola, Escambia Co., Florida, at age 66.⁴ He Gaylen Lee Phillips, 66, passed away April 8, 2013 from complications as a result of back surgery. Although he had several previous back surgeries, he thought this one would cure his pain. He is now free from the pain that had been his constant companion for decades. Gaylen was born in Century, Florida and resided most of his life in Pensacola. His career started in the transportation industry where he was in management. Later he became a successful mortgage banker holding top production awards for the State of Florida with Norwest Mortgage. He had a winning personality and made everyone he talked to feel special. He graduated from Escambia High School and PJC. He also attended UWF and the University of Houston. Gaylen was married to Kathy for over 30 years. He was predeceased by his father, Willard Phillips and his mother, Eunivay Grant. Survivors include Jason Phillips of New York, Lori Christianson (Ben) of Gulf Breeze, Laura Young (Scott) of Lillian, AL; grandsons, Cody Luker and Jack Christianson; sisters, Glenda Gamez (Danny) and Gwynn Barbour. Gaylen was raised in the Assemblies of God Church, but when he and Kathy married, he converted to Methodist. They were members of Pine Forest Methodist Church for 20 years before moving membership to First United Methodist Church. Special thanks is given to his sister-in-law, Annette Fortney for her devotion and assistance during his last days. on April 11, 2013.³