Person Page - 1563

     Arthur Marion "Art" Higginbotham was buried at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri.² He was born on January 31, 1925 at Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri.⁴ He married Emma Gertrude "Gertie" Hall, daughter of Roscoe Staten Hall and Mary Fay/Faye Elizabeth Bailey, on May 27, 1950 at Benton Co., Arkansas.^1,3 Arthur Marion "Art" Higginbotham died in 1984.²

     His Social Security Number was 199-03-5389.⁵ Clifton Therion Massey married Ethel Carman Hall, daughter of Roscoe Staten Hall and Mary Fay/Faye Elizabeth Bailey.^1,2,3 Clifton Therion Massey was born on May 9, 1915 at Mountain Grove, Bath Co., Virginia.^3,4,5,6 He died on January 30, 2009 at Arizona at age 93.⁵

     Perry Cahill Whittaker was buried at Rosedale Memorial Park, 3850 Richlieu Road, Bensalem, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania.² He Perry C. Whittaker, age 89, of Fairless Hills died on Friday, September 28, 2007 at Frankford Hospital Bucks County. Born in Princeton, W.Va., Mr. Whittaker has been a resident of Lower Bucks County since 1952. He built bridges, power plants, aluminum mills and breweries from Maine to Fla. He worked for American Bridge, a division of U.S. Steel, as a Superintendent for almost 30 years before retiring in 1980. Mr. Whittaker was a Supervisor for the construction of the Unisphere at the 1964 World Fair. He was a member of the Masons for over 50 years and served as a past Master of Lodge #134 in Princeton, W.Va. He was a member of the Oxford Valley Chapel. Mr. Whittaker is the beloved husband of nearly 68 years to Ruth V. Whittaker (nee Hall). He is the loving father of Ann Clyburn and her husband Wayne of Trinity, Fla., Sonya McClimans and her husband Ron of Fallsington and Randall Whittaker and his wife Donna of Fairless Hills. He is the devoted grandfather of Kara Cloward, Brian Whittaker and Heather Conover and her husband Craig; and is the great grandfather of Aidan. He will also be sadly missed by his brothers Jack and James "Buddy" Whittaker of Princeton, W.Va; his sisters Virginia Queen, Mildred Quesenberry and Nancy Smith all of Princeton, W.Va. and Bernadine Brown of Mich; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call on Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown. Friends may also call on Tuesday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Oxford Valley Chapel, 198 Bristol-Oxford Valley Road, Levittown, Pa., 19056, where his funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in Rosedale Memorial Park.² He was born on March 15, 1918 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,2,3,4 He married Ruth Virginia Hall, daughter of Roscoe Staten Hall and Mary Fay/Faye Elizabeth Bailey, circa 1939.^1,2 Perry Cahill Whittaker died on September 28, 2007 at Langhorne, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania, at age 89.^5,2

     His Social Security Number was 233-14-4675.¹ Harold Victor Gearheart was buried at King Cemetery, Pettry, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁶ He was born on July 29, 1912 at Goodwill, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ He died on December 6, 1951 at Montcalm, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 39.^1,2 He Montcalm, Dec. 7 – A pair of auto brakes that grabbed was blamed Thursday night with the highway death of Harold Victor Gearheart, 39, of Goodwill, Mercer County. State Police Cpl. E. D. Bazzie said Gearheart was thrown from the car in which he was riding when it crashed over a six-foot embankment on a secondary route near Montcalm. After Gearheart was thrown from the car, it overturned crushing the coal miner to death. Bazzie quoted the car’s driver, Van Buren Elkins, also of Goodwill, as saying the accident occurred when he applied the brakes as another vehicle approached. The brakes grabbed and threw the car off the right side of the road, Elkins said. He told officers the approaching car had its bright lights on. Elkins was uninjured.
on December 8, 1951.²

     Jack Woodrow Brendle was born circa 1908 at North Carolina.² He married Alice June Carper, daughter of Andrew Allen "Andy" Carper and Ida Adalene "Idie" Conner, on April 6, 1939 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.^1,3,2

     Emma Helen Kerner was buried at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 5676 Old Walkertown Road, Walkertown, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.² Her Social Security Number was 239-44-7226.³ She was born on July 29, 1906.^4,3 As of December 31, 1925,her married name was Carper.¹ She married Clifford Andrew Carper, son of Andrew Allen "Andy" Carper and Ida Adalene "Idie" Conner, on December 31, 1925 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.¹ Emma Helen Kerner died on September 10, 1993 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 87.^3,4

     His Social Security Number was 230-38-4524.⁴ John Allen Carper Jr. was born on August 26, 1936 at Roanoke, Virginia.^5,4,2 He married Costance Anita "Connie" Pitts on November 26, 1958 at High Point, Guilford Co., North Carolina.¹ John Allen Carper Jr. died on April 9, 1998 at Wilmington, New Hanover Co., North Carolina, at age 61.^4,5,2 He John Allen Carper Jr. of Wilmington, NC, formerly of Winston-Salem, NC, died Thursday, April 9, 1998, at his residence. He was born on August 26, 1936, in Roanoke, VA, the son of the late John Allen and Theora Mae Morris Carper. Mr. Carper served in the United States Marine Corps and retired from R.J. Reynolds Nabisco where he was an engraver. He was affiliated locally with Southern Graphic Systems. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Connie Carper of the home; five children, John Allen Carper III and wife, Christy, of Huber Heights, OH, Thomas Wayne Carper of Lewisville, NC, Stanley Scott Carper of Wilmington, NC, Gina Lynne Jones and husband, Richard, of Winston-Salem, NC, and Mary Heather Philip of Wilmington, NC; sisters Ellyn C. Potter of Wilmington, NC, and Martha Lynne Barney and husband, John, of Winston-Salem, NC; half-sister Julie Vaughan Carper of Roanoke, VA; and five grandchildren, Christopher Martin, Jordan Carper, Abraham Carper, Scott Carper and Chrystin Philip. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 13, 1998, in Wilmington Bible Chapel by Evangelist William King. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Andrews Mortuary, Market Street Chapel. Memorials may be made to Wilmington Bible Chapel, PO Box 10185, Wilmington, NC 28405, Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center, 725-A Wellington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28401, or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 4894, Wilmington, NC 28406. The family would like to express special thanks to all of their friends and neighbors for all of their support. Dad, we love you. Andrews Mortuary, Market Street Chapel. on April 11, 1998.²

     Ralph Lewis Carper Jr. was buried at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 5676 Old Walkertown Road, Walkertown, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.² He was born on January 3, 1935 at North Carolina.^2,4 He married Rita Rae Reich on May 27, 1956 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.¹ Ralph Lewis Carper Jr. and Rita Rae Reich were divorced on September 12, 1983 at Forsyth Co., North Carolina.⁵ Ralph Lewis Carper Jr. died on October 11, 2011 at North Carolina at age 76.^4,2

     Her Social Security Number was 244-52-3672.² Rita Rae Reich was buried at Salem Moravian Graveyard, Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.³ She was born on January 14, 1937 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.^2,3 As of May 27, 1956,her married name was Carper.¹ She married Ralph Lewis Carper Jr., son of Lewis Ralph Carper Sr. and Vivian Sellars, on May 27, 1956 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.¹ Rita Rae Reich and Ralph Lewis Carper Jr. were divorced on September 12, 1983 at Forsyth Co., North Carolina.⁴ Rita Rae Reich died on December 6, 1999 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 62.^2,3

     Wilfred Wysor Gray was buried at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Virginia.^5,7 His Social Security Number was 719-05-4101.⁶ He was born on May 7, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3,5,6,7 He married Virginia Lucille Mason circa 1916.^8,9,4,5 Wilfred Wysor Gray died on December 7, 1966 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 75.^5,7

     Her Social Security Number was 411-10-2279.⁵ Hattie Myra Gray was buried at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road, Englewood, Sarasota Co., Florida.⁶ She was born on April 24, 1893 at Radford, Virginia.² As of December 17, 1913,her married name was Hayes.⁷ She married Charles Cannaday Hayes on December 17, 1913 at Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.⁷ Hattie Myra Gray and Charles Cannaday Hayes were divorced in April, 1920 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁷ As of November 18, 1920,her married name was Rock.⁴ Hattie Myra Gray married Berry R. Rock on November 18, 1920 at Forsyth Co., North Carolina.⁴ Hattie Myra Gray died on January 3, 1982 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 88.⁸

     James Forrest Gray was buried at Salem Cemetery, Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.^3,5 His Social Security Number was 719-05-4097.⁴ He married Peggy Stewart.⁵ James Forrest Gray was born on September 17, 1895 at East Radford, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,3,5,4 He died on November 13, 1942 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 47.^3,5

     Thomas Lewis Gray was buried at Lemon Bay Historical Cemetery, Englewood, Sarasota Co., Florida.⁴ His Social Security Number was 083-16-6707.⁶ He was born on January 9, 1903 at Virginia.^1,3,4,7,6 He married Minna H. Barnstedt on November 3, 1933 at Manhattan, New York Co., New York.^2,8 Thomas Lewis Gray died on February 12, 1977 at DeSoto Co., Florida, at age 74.^3,4,7

     Virginia Lucille Mason was buried at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4 She was born on October 27, 1896 at Lynchburg, Virginia.^3,4 As of circa 1916,her married name was Gray.^1,5 She married Wilfred Wysor Gray, son of Cary Lewis Gray and Annie Laura Cannaday, circa 1916.^1,5,2,4 Virginia Lucille Mason died on February 27, 1931 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 34.^3,4

     Mary Elizabeth Gray was born on April 16, 1918 at Roanoke, Virginia.³ She died on December 29, 1921 at Glade Spring, Washington Co., Virginia, at age 3.⁴

     Hattie Catherine Gray was buried at Glenwood Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum, 839 Bluff City Highway, Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.⁵ Her Social Security Number was 413-16-0607.⁷ She was born on May 15, 1920 at Roanoke, Virginia.^7,4,5 As of November 22, 1938,her married name was Briscoe.⁵ She married Dan Edward Briscoe Jr. on November 22, 1938.^3,5 Hattie Catherine Gray died on February 11, 2013 at age 92.^7,5 She Hattie Catherine Gray Briscoe of Bristol, Tennessee and Boca Grande, Florida, died Monday, February 11, 2013 at her home. She was born in Roanoke, Virginia on May 15, 1920 to Wilfred and Virginia Gray. She graduated from Tennessee High School and attended Virginia Intermont College. She married Dan Edward Briscoe, Jr. on November 22, 1938. For over sixty-five years, they invested in real estate and raised a family together. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, a troop leader in the Girl Scouts, a board member of the YWCA, and an active member of the YMCA. Growing up as the daughter of a Norfolk and Western train conductor and a pilot, she developed a love of traveling. Her father frequently took her flying in an open cockpit biplane from the Old Bristol Airport. Catherine and Dan were avid collectors of paintings and furniture. Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Dan Edward Briscoe, Jr., her parents Virginia Lucille Mason Gray and Wilfred Wysor Gray, her brothers Cary Lewis Gray, Wilfred Wysor Gray, Jr., and Thomas Lawrence Gray, sister Mary Elizabeth Gray, daughter Jane Briscoe, and son David Edward Briscoe. She is survived by son Cary Gray Briscoe and daughter Dana Briscoe Robinette and husband Joe of Bristol, Tennessee. Catherine is survived by five grandchildren: Courtney Briscoe, Jane Kleiss and husband Jack Kleiss, Judge Robinette and wife Michelle Broglio, Catherine Robinette and husband Hayden Phillips, and Dan Robinette and wife Stacy Robinette. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Briscoe Robinette, Mason Robinette, Michela Gray Robinette, Nolan Robinette, Emerson Robinette, Hattie Phillips, Cate Phillips, William Robinette, and James Robinette. She is survived by her sister Virginia (Peggy) Gray Webster of Thaxton, Virginia. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved to laugh and to cook for her family. Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 4, 2013 at five o'clock in the afternoon at Glenwood Cemetery. on April 28, 2013.⁵

     Lt. Cary Lewis Gray was buried at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.⁴ He Second Lieutenant, 513th Fighter Squadron 406th Fighter Group, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, and additional Army Awards.³ He was born on June 2, 1921 at Glade Spring, Washington Co., Virginia.^7,9 He died on June 17, 1944 at Normandy, France, at age 23.^3,4,5

     His Social Security Number was 413-16-1972.⁶ Wilfred Wysor "Champ" Gray Jr. was buried at Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.² He was born on November 2, 1922 at Abingdon, Washington Co., Virginia.^6,2 He married Elinor Ruth Bowery in 1943.^2,3 Wilfred Wysor "Champ" Gray Jr. died on March 27, 2009 at Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tennessee, at age 86.^6,2 He BRISTOL, Tenn. – Wilfred W. "Champ" Gray, Jr., age 86, went to be with the Lord Friday, March 27, 2009, at his home. He was born November 2, 1922, in Abingdon, Va., and lived most of his life in the Bristol area. He was a son of the late Wilfred Wysor Gray Sr. and Virginia Mason Gray. He was a 1942 graduate of Tennessee High School, president of the class and voted most outstanding athlete. He has remained an avid supporter of the Vikings. He was a 1944 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, was a retired employee with the U.S. Postal Service and a member of the Beaver View Baptist Church. He was co-founder of Faith Bible Camp with his brother-in-law, the Rev. Haynes Watson. He was active in the youth ministry and was an active member of the South Holston Ruritan. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Gray; two brothers, Lt. Cary L. Gray and Thomas Gray. Survivors include his loving bride of 65 years, Elinor R. Bowery Gray; children, Wilfred W. "Fred" Gray III and wife, Wendy, Reveley Gray McGrady and husband, Carl, Rebecca Gray Cox and husband, Thomas, and Isaac "Pete" Grubbs and wife, Diana; grandchildren, John Gray, Luke Gray, Benjamin Daniels, Catherine Cox, Byron Cox, Tracy Taylor, and Will Grubbs; sisters, Catherine Briscoe and Virginia Webster; special sisters-in-law, Martha Watson and Peggy Bowery; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, March 29, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home, with the Rev. Scott Taylor, the Rev. Scott Watson and the Rev. Roy Yelton officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Pallbearers will be John Gray, Luke Gray, Benjamin Daniels, Byron Cox, Will Grubbs, Tom Parker, Gary Robinette and Randy Frye. Honorary pallbearers will be youth of his churches and Faith Bible Camp and members of the Forever Young Club of Beaver View Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; or The Gideon Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 2083, Bristol, TN 37621. on March 28, 2009.²