Earl Howard Riffe1,2,3

M, b. February 8, 1938, d. August 10, 2017
FatherCharles Walton Riffe1,2,3,4 b. March 15, 1906, d. October 13, 1979
MotherAlma Meadows1,2,5,3,4 b. October 22, 1908, d. April 3, 1996
     Earl Howard Riffe was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.3 He Earl Howard Riffe, 79, of Crab Orchard, WV, passed away into glory in a Charleston, WV, hospital on Thursday, August 10, 2017, following a well-fought battle with heart and lung issues. Earl was the son of the late Charles Walton Riffe Sr. (1906-1979) and Alma Meadows-Riffe (1908-1996). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Sandra Riffe-Smith (1944-2001), and four brothers, Charles Walton Riffe Jr. (1927-1927), Delmar Ray Riffe (1930-2012), Carl Riffe (Deceased), and Arnold Gene Riffe (Deceased). Mr. Riffe was a retired surface mine heavy equipment mechanic, having last worked for Elk Run Coal from which he retired in 2000. Mr. Riffe quietly celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife, Marcella Harper-Riffe, in July. Mr. Riffe was known and respected as one of southern West Virginia’s top heavy equipment mechanics. He could simply listen to the sounds of the smallest motorized toy to the huge diesel equipment on the surface mine site and diagnose the problem. His quiet manner and quick wit served him well on the job and with his family and many friends. He was one of the kindest men to all he met—from welcoming new family members into the fold, to caring for the stray dog who came onto the job site. An avid gardener, Mr. Riffe delighted in sharing his garden produce with family, friends, and neighbors. He is survived by his three children, Charles Ray Riffe, of Mt. Lookout, WV; Howard Dennis Riffe of Raleigh, NC, and Sherri Ann Riffe-McLamb and her husband, John McLamb, of Raleigh, NC; his grandchildren, Candice Carr & Brian Carr, and Shane Riffe & Carrie Riffe, all of Mt. Lookout, WV; five great-grandchildren, Lynzi, Dylon, Ryan, Brynna, and Shaylynn all of Mt. Lookout, WV; a step-great-grandson, Bearon, from Mt. Lookout. He is also survived by his twelve siblings, Ruth Riffe-Astle & Dave Astle, Rosanna Riffe-Looney, Bill Riffe, Mary Ellen Riffe-Ellifritt & Maywood Ellifritt, Vivian Riffe, Jan Riffe & Margaret Riffe, Loretta Riffe-Lilly & Ron Paul Lilly, Rob Riffe, Don Riffe, Rachel Riffe-Patton & Dan Patton, S.D. “Butch” Riffe, and Rebecca Riffe; sisters-in-law, Novella Harper-Perkins of Smoot, WV, June Harper of Hico, WV, and Verna Harper-Farley of Dayton, OH; best friends, Sue and Marvin Lively; a host of cousins, church family, and many friends. On Sunday, August 13, 2017, a "Celebration of Life" service will be held at Melton Mortuary, 1200 Harper Road, Beckley, WV, with Rev. Mike Sisson officiating. Friends may visit with the family at Melton’s from 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM when the service will begin. Private graveside services will be on Monday at Sunset Memorial Park.3 He was born on February 8, 1938 at West Virginia.6 He married Marcella Harper in July, 1957.3 Earl Howard Riffe died on August 10, 2017 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 79.3

Census Records

1940Dwelling 124, District 41-39, Town, Raleigh Co., West Virginia4

Family

Marcella Harper
Marriage*Earl Howard Riffe married Marcella Harper in July, 1957.3 
Children
  • Charles Ray Riffe3
  • Howard Dennis Riffe3
  • Sherri Ann Riffe3

Citations

  1. [S798] Register Herald, From the Arnold Gene Riffe obituary in the Sep 22, 2007 edition.
  2. [S137] Unidentified Newspaper Article or Funeral Home Information, From the Sandra Riffe Smith obituary in an unknown edition.
  3. [S137] Unidentified Newspaper Article or Funeral Home Information, From the Earl Howard Riffe obituary.
  4. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  5. [S993] Charleston Daily Mail, From the Alma Meadows Riffe obituary in the Apr 5, 1996 edition.
  6. [S1235] Ancestry.com, U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1.

Jienell Eileen Riffe1,2

F, b. March 12, 1946, d. May 8, 2008
FatherHomer Wilmer Riffe1,2 b. March 30, 1908, d. June 19, 1955
MotherGertrude Dotsie Cole1,2,3 b. September 25, 1918, d. March 10, 1997
     Her married name was Wall.1 Her Social Security Number was 235-70-5260.4 Jienell Eileen Riffe married Hubert H. Wall.1 Jienell Eileen Riffe was born on March 12, 1946 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,4,2 As of December 27, 1966,her married name was Gilkerson.2 She married Richard Wayne Gilkerson on December 27, 1966 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,2 Jienell Eileen Riffe died on May 8, 2008 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 62.1,4 She On Thursday, May 8, 2008, Jienell Gilkerson Wall, of Jasper Drive, died at her home. She was 62 years of age. Born on March 12, 1946, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Homer Wilmer and Dotsie Gertrude Cole Riffe. Jienell was a 1964 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Morris Harvey College and was a graduate of West Virginia Institute of Technology. Jienell retired from the Central Office of the Raleigh County Board of Education in June of 2007 after 39 years of service. An accomplished musician, she was of the Christian faith. Jienell is survived by her beloved husband, Hubert H. Wall. In keeping with her wishes, Jienell’s services will be private. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at melton@wvdsl.net. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley. on May 13, 2008.1

Family 1

Hubert H. Wall
Marriage*She married Hubert H. Wall.1 

Family 2

Richard Wayne Gilkerson b. July 4, 1943, d. April 15, 1999
Marriage*Jienell Eileen Riffe married Richard Wayne Gilkerson on December 27, 1966 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,2 

Citations

  1. [S798] Register Herald, From the Jienell Gilkerson Wall obituary in the May 13, 2008 edition.
  2. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Gilkerson-Riffe marriage record.
  3. [S616] Charleston Gazette, From the Gertrude C. Meadows obituary in the Mar 10, 1997 edition.
  4. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.

Richard Wayne Gilkerson1

M, b. July 4, 1943, d. April 15, 1999
     Richard Wayne Gilkerson was buried at Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane, Putnam Co., West Virginia.2 His Social Security Number was 233-68-1117.3 He was born on July 4, 1943 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,3 He married Jienell Eileen Riffe, daughter of Homer Wilmer Riffe and Gertrude Dotsie Cole, on December 27, 1966 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.4,1 Richard Wayne Gilkerson died on April 15, 1999 at West Virginia at age 55.3,2 He SCOTT DEPOT - Richard W. Gilkerson, 55, of Scott Depot, formerly of Beckley, died April 15, 1999, at home after a short illness. He was a retired boilermaker from Robert Shaffer Inc. in Ohio. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church, Scott Depot. Surviving: wife, Sara Jane Gilkerson; daughter, Suzanne Miller of Hurricane; mother, Mary Gilkerson of Beckley; sister, Beverly Racer of Winfield; brothers, Gary L. of Hurricane, Eugene of Beckley. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Robert Kelley officiating. Burial will be in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Diabetes Association, 1221-A Ohio Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.
on April 17, 1999.2

Family

Jienell Eileen Riffe b. March 12, 1946, d. May 8, 2008
Marriage*He married Jienell Eileen Riffe, daughter of Homer Wilmer Riffe and Gertrude Dotsie Cole, on December 27, 1966 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.4,1 

Citations

  1. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Gilkerson-Riffe marriage record.
  2. [S616] Charleston Gazette, From the Richard W. Gilkerson obituary in the Apr 17, 1999 edition.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S798] Register Herald, From the Jienell Gilkerson Wall obituary in the May 13, 2008 edition.

Eva Ruth Wood1,2

F, b. June 23, 1928, d. February 18, 2008
     Eva Ruth Wood was buried at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.1 Her Social Security Number was 234-46-0112.3 She was born on June 23, 1928 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.3,2 As of March 3, 1951,her married name was Riffe.2 She married James Henry "Jim" Riffe, son of Harold Montgomery Riffe and Pansy E. Humphreys, on March 3, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,2 Eva Ruth Wood died on February 18, 2008 at Abingdon, Washington Co., Virginia, at age 79.1,3 She ABINGDON, Va. — Mrs. Ruth W. Riffe, 79, died Monday, Febr. 18, 2008, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Princeton, the daughter of the late Hobert and Estelle Spencer Wood. She graduated salutatorian from Big Creek High School in War in 1946. She spent most of her life in and around the Princeton area prior to moving to Abingdon in 1995. She retired as manager of admissions at Concord University. She was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church and was a member of the Eastern Star in Beckley. Mrs. Riffe was an avid reader and loved raising her family. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, James H. Riffe; two sons, Tom Riffe of Abingdon and Paul Riffe and wife, Kathi, of Greensboro, N.C; a daughter, Rebecca Riffe of Abingdon; and two grandchildren, Eric Riffe of Lynchburg, Va., and Nancy Riffe of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Princeton, with the Rev. Walter Weikel and the Rev. Nicole Hill officiating. The family received friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Riffe. on February 20, 2008.1

Family

James Henry "Jim" Riffe b. February 13, 1927, d. October 17, 2011
Marriage*She married James Henry "Jim" Riffe, son of Harold Montgomery Riffe and Pansy E. Humphreys, on March 3, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,2 
Children

Citations

  1. [S798] Register Herald, From the Ruth W. Riffe obituary in the Feb 20, 2008 edition.
  2. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Riffe-Wood marriage record.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.

James Thompson "Tom" Riffe1,2,3,4

M, b. June 12, 1953, d. January 8, 2009
FatherJames Henry "Jim" Riffe1,3 b. February 13, 1927, d. October 17, 2011
MotherEva Ruth Wood1,3 b. June 23, 1928, d. February 18, 2008
     James Thompson "Tom" Riffe was born on June 12, 1953 at West Virginia.5,3 He married Wanda Zane Mahood on June 8, 1974 at Bluefield, Tazewell Co., Virginia.3 James Thompson "Tom" Riffe and Wanda Zane Mahood were divorced on March 9, 2004 at Washington Co., Virginia.4 James Thompson "Tom" Riffe died on January 8, 2009 at Washington Co., Virginia, at age 55.2,5

Family

Wanda Zane Mahood
Marriage*He married Wanda Zane Mahood on June 8, 1974 at Bluefield, Tazewell Co., Virginia.3 
Divorce* James Thompson "Tom" Riffe and Wanda Zane Mahood were divorced on March 9, 2004 at Washington Co., Virginia.4 
Children
  • Emily Riffe6
  • Caroline Riffe6
  • Eric Riffe6
  • Nancy Riffe6

Citations

  1. [S798] Register Herald, From the Ruth W. Riffe obituary in the Feb 20, 2008 edition.
  2. [S5149] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014.
  3. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  4. [S5151] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-2014.
  5. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  6. [S5608] Unknown compiler, U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-2018.

Jessie Ruth Johnson1,2,3,4,5

F, b. December 1, 1926, d. October 10, 2009
FatherGeorge Washington "Willie" Johnson1,2,6,4,5 b. February 14, 1891, d. January 23, 1988
MotherMallie B. Hall1,2,6,4 b. May 2, 1896, d. March 7, 1977
     Jessie Ruth Johnson was born on December 1, 1926 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.7,3 As of March 19, 1946,her married name was Grim.8 She married Kermit Lloyd Grim on March 19, 1946 at York, York Co., South Carolina.8 Jessie Ruth Johnson and Kermit Lloyd Grim were divorced on July 6, 1953 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.8 As of April 1, 1957,her married name was Fitzgerald.9 Jessie Ruth Johnson married Donald Washington Fitzgerald on April 1, 1957 at Reidsville, Rockingham Co., North Carolina.9,10 Jessie Ruth Johnson and Donald Washington Fitzgerald were divorced on January 26, 1977 at Pasco Co., Florida.11 Jessie Ruth Johnson died on October 10, 2009 at Holiday, Pasco Co., Florida, at age 82.7,12 She FITZGERALD, Jessie Ruth 82, Holiday, passed away at home Oct. 10, 2009. Sadly missed by 2 sons, Donnie & Andy (Gay); 3 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Howard, niece & nephew & family. on October 13, 2009.12

Census Records

1930Dwelling 41, District 11, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia2
1940Dwelling 354, District 61-15, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia6

Family 1

Kermit Lloyd Grim b. February 7, 1924, d. December 3, 2018
Marriage*Jessie Ruth Johnson married Kermit Lloyd Grim on March 19, 1946 at York, York Co., South Carolina.8 
Divorce* Jessie Ruth Johnson and Kermit Lloyd Grim were divorced on July 6, 1953 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.8 
Child
  • Andy Lloyd Grim12,13

Family 2

Donald Washington Fitzgerald b. September 4, 1930, d. December 23, 2008
Marriage*Jessie Ruth Johnson married Donald Washington Fitzgerald on April 1, 1957 at Reidsville, Rockingham Co., North Carolina.9,10 
Divorce* Jessie Ruth Johnson and Donald Washington Fitzgerald were divorced on January 26, 1977 at Pasco Co., Florida.11 
Child
  • Donnie Fitzgerald12

Citations

  1. [S102] Roanoke Times, From the Louise Johnson Turman obituary in the Dec 16, 2008 edition.
  2. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.
  3. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  4. [S6392] Tampa Bay Times, From the Mallie B. Johnson obituary in the Mar 8, 1977 edition.
  5. [S6392] Tampa Bay Times, From the George W. Johnson obituary in the Jan 24, 1988 edition.
  6. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  8. [S5151] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-2014.
  9. [S5158] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011.
  10. [S999] Unknown compiler, North Carolina, Marriage Index, 1741-2004.
  11. [S1238] Florida Department of Health, Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001.
  12. [S6392] Tampa Bay Times, From the Jessie Ruth Fitzgerald obituary in the Oct 13, 2009 edition.
  13. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.

Donald Washington Fitzgerald1,2

M, b. September 4, 1930, d. December 23, 2008
     Donald Washington Fitzgerald was buried at Spring Valley Chapel Cemetery, 2045 Cold Springs Road, Stuarts Draft, Augusta Co., Virginia.3 His Social Security Number was 223-36-6940.4 He Donald W. Fitzgerald, 78, died Dec. 23, 2008, in Florida. He was the son of the late Rev. Woody Fitzgerald and Viola Fitzgerald Kelley of Stuarts Draft, Va. He leaves one daughter, Linda Green of Roanoke; one son, Donnie Fitzgerald of Holiday; five sisters, Myrtle Peters of Raphine, Va., Alma Rickman of Stuarts Draft, Rachel Conner and Rebecca Rankin of Greenville, Va., and Ruth Cook of Elizabeth City, N.C; and three brothers, Charlie and Loyd of Stuarts Draft and Ernest of Greenville. Interment was in the chapel cemetery.5 He was born on September 4, 1930 at Augusta Co., Virginia.2,4,3 He married Jessie Ruth Johnson, daughter of George Washington "Willie" Johnson and Mallie B. Hall, on April 1, 1957 at Reidsville, Rockingham Co., North Carolina.1,6 Donald Washington Fitzgerald and Jessie Ruth Johnson were divorced on January 26, 1977 at Pasco Co., Florida.7 Donald Washington Fitzgerald died on December 23, 2008 at Florida at age 78.5,4,3

Family

Jessie Ruth Johnson b. December 1, 1926, d. October 10, 2009
Marriage*He married Jessie Ruth Johnson, daughter of George Washington "Willie" Johnson and Mallie B. Hall, on April 1, 1957 at Reidsville, Rockingham Co., North Carolina.1,6 
Divorce* Donald Washington Fitzgerald and Jessie Ruth Johnson were divorced on January 26, 1977 at Pasco Co., Florida.7 
Child
  • Donnie Fitzgerald5

Citations

  1. [S5158] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011.
  2. [S5152] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920.
  3. [S13187] Spring Valley Chapel Cemetery, Augusta Co., VA, online www.findagrave.com.
  4. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  5. [S8740] News Leader, The, From the Donald W. Fitzgerald obituary in the May 1, 2009 edition.
  6. [S999] Unknown compiler, North Carolina, Marriage Index, 1741-2004.
  7. [S1238] Florida Department of Health, Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001.