Person Page - 2326

     John Joseph Gorsica Jr. was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁴ His Social Security Number was 151-10-8926.³ He was born on March 29, 1915 at Bayonne, Hudson Co., New Jersey.^2,3,6 He married Edith Madelene Bruster, daughter of Dr. James Bruster and Nina D. F. Conner, on November 7, 1938 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,6,7 John Joseph Gorsica Jr. died on December 16, 1998 at Charlottesville, Virginia, at age 83.^3,5,6 He John J. Gorsica, Jr., 83, of Beckley, died of natural causes, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1998, in a Charlottesville, Va., hospital. Born March 29, 1915, in Bayonne, N.J., he was the son of the late John Joseph and Helen Zwiercan Gorczyca, Sr. Mr. Gorsica was a pitcher with the Detroit Tigers from 1940-1947, Gorsica worked for White Cross Pharmacy and Gift Shop in Beckley from 1950-1960 and was co-owner and manager of the Bowl Wick Lanes in Beckley from 1960-1974. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, member of Beckley Moose Lodge No. 1606 and Beckley Elks Lodge No. 1452. He was a World War II veteran having served with the U.S. Navy. He had been a resident of Beckley since 1938. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Bruster Gorsica; three brothers, Joseph Casimur and Stanley Gorczyca; and two sisters, Agnes and Helen Kielb. Survivors include a son, John J. Gorsica III and his wife, Mary Agnes, of Waynesboro, Va; two brothers, Walter Gorczyca of Toms River, N.J., and Frank Gorczyca of Bayonne, N .J; two sisters, Mary Wygrzynki and Shirley Yahim, both of Bayonne, N.J; a sister-in-law, Mary Alice Mayse of Waynesboro, Va; two grandchildren, John J. Gorsica IV of South Bend, Ind., and Angela N. Gorsica of Mundelein, Ill. Funeral liturgy will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, with the Rev. Maria Azir as celebrant. Rite of committal will follow in Sunset
Memorial Park, Beckley. on December 18, 1998.⁶

     His Social Security Number was 233-07-5288.⁵ Harry Hammond Mayse Jr. was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^6,4 He was born on March 11, 1905 at Longdale, Alleghany Co., Virginia; His draft card has a birth year of 1908 and the SSDI has 1903.^{1,2,6,7,3,5,4} He married Mary Alice Bruster, daughter of Dr. James Bruster and Nina D. F. Conner, on March 6, 1946 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,8,4,9 Harry Hammond Mayse Jr. died on October 13, 1987 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 82.^5,6,7,4 He Harry Hammond Mayse Jr., 82, of 110 1/2 East Main St., Beckley, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born March ll, 1905, in Longdale, Va., he was the son of the late Harry and Etta Virginia Mayse. Mr. Mayse was retired from the White Cross Pharmacy in Beckley, member of the United Methodist Temple and the Beckley Masonic Lodge No. 95. He was a 70-year resident of Beckley and a World War II U.S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Bruster Mayse, and a sister, Mrs. William (Ruth) Graham of Coal City. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Beckley. The members of the Beckley Masonic Lodge No. 95 will conduct graveside rights and serve as pallbearers. on October 15, 1987.⁴

     Ruth Kathleen Willard was born on January 12, 1914 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.¹ As of September 5, 1941,her married name was Bryson.¹ She married Frederick Bruce "Fred" Bryson, son of Albert Founten Bryson and Dixie Lee Crouse, on September 5, 1941 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 195-18-7288.² Pearlotha May Harris was born on July 27, 1924 at Canfield, Braxton Co., West Virginia.^3,2,4,1 As of November 4, 1956,her married name was Bryson.³ She married Frederick Bruce "Fred" Bryson, son of Albert Founten Bryson and Dixie Lee Crouse, on November 4, 1956 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ Pearlotha May Harris died on June 1, 1995 at Seminole Co., Florida, at age 70.^2,4

     Her Social Security Number was 234-62-6706.³ Mary Bridget McGrady was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^4,2 She was born on November 14, 1909 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,3,2 As of December 24, 1931,her married name was Bryson.¹ She married Daniel Winfred "D.W." Bryson, son of James Bryson and Alcie May Lester, on December 24, 1931 at Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,4 Mary Bridget McGrady died on April 4, 1976 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 66.^4,2 She Funeral services for Mary Bryson of 204 Foote St. will be held at 2:30 p.m. today in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Kenneth L. Swank. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. Mrs. Bryson died Sunday evening in a local hospital after a short illness. She was a retired teacher who taught in Raleigh County for many years. A member of the First Baptist Church, Mrs. Bryson was also a member of the Fidells Sunday School Class, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Flowering Hills Garden Club, the Women's Club of Beckley and the Raleigh County Retired Teacher Association. She is survived by her husband, D. W., at home; a son, James A. of Ashland, Ky; her mother, Susie (Mrs. D. A.) McGrady of Norfolk, Va; her foster mother, Mrs. Willa Nesmith of Moultrie, Ga; six sisters, Selma (Mrs. Harold) Payton, Nina (Mrs. Earl) Garbett and Virginia (Mrs. J. R.) Crossman, all of Norfolk, Va., Beatrice (Mrs. R. E.) Newton of Orlando, Fla., Glenna (Mrs. Robert) Lawrence of Pensacola, Fla., and Wanda (Mrs. Robert) Hamlin if Vienna, Va; two brothers, W. J. McGrady of Pensacola, Fla., and R. B. McGrady of Front Royal, Va. Pallbearers will be Kermit A. Locke, W. M. Duncan, James B. Deck, D. O. Means, W. M. Kessell and Cecil D. Cooke. on April 6, 1976.⁴

     Her Social Security Number was 235-84-3158.³ Dorothy Kennedy was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,4 She was born on January 11, 1903 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,3,4 As of August 11, 1931,her married name was Bryson.¹ She married George Wayman Bryson, son of James Bryson and Alcie May Lester, on August 11, 1931 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Dorothy Kennedy died on May 6, 1974 at Nemours, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 71.^2,4 She Mrs. Dorothy Bryson, 71, of War died Monday morning in at Haga Nursing Home at Nemours after a long illness. She was a daughter of the late Stephen and Rose Kennedy. Survivors include her husband, George of War, one daughter, Mrs. Katheryn Ann Davis of Wreston, Va; a sister, Katheryn Kennedy of Princeton, and two grandchildren. Mrs. Bryson was a graduate of Concord College and a teacher in the elementary school systems of Mercer and McDowell counties. She lived at War for the past 43 years and was active in the Girl Scouts of America and the War Womans Club, and was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church at War. Her body will be placed in the Calvary Baptist Church today where friends may call from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the church at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday with Vance Yost and Rev. H. H. Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park at Beckley. The Douglass Funeral Home at Welch is in charge of arrangements. on May 7, 1974.²

     Ernest Elbert Martin was buried at Bryson Family Cemetery, Maple Meadow, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,3 He was born on March 31, 1914 at Patrick Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married Rosina Lindy Webb on July 3, 1935 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2,4 Ernest Elbert Martin died on August 3, 2002 at West Virginia at age 88.^1,3 He LESTER - Ernest E. Martin, 88, of Lester died Aug. 3, 2002. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Bryson family cemetery, Maple Meadow. There will be no visitation. on August 5, 2002.³

     Crockett Newton Shumate was buried at Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor Road, Mount Tabor, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^4,6,5 He was born on September 18, 1888 at Bolt, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,4,5,7 He married Lillie Mae Bryson, daughter of Manser Henry Bryson and Mary Frances DeWeese, on November 21, 1912 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ Crockett Newton Shumate died on October 22, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 63.^4,6,5 He Funeral services for Crocket Newton Shumate, 63 year old lifetime resdient of Raleigh County who died Monday night at a Beckley hospital, will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at the Lester Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. C. W. Shafer of Poca officiating. Burial will be in Calfee Cemetery at Mt. Tabor. Born at Bolt, he was the son of George and Sarah Trump Shumate. He was a retired coal miner and had worked as a blacksmith at Glen White for 31 years. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lillie Shumate; three brothers, Burton and Chris, both of Oak Hill, and B. J. Shumate of South Charleston; two sisters, Mrs. Dora Clements and Mrs. Lula Burleson, both of Beckley; a son, Howard, and a daughter, Mrs. Juanita Smith, both of Lester, and four grandchildren. The body will be take to the church a 1 p.m. today from the Calfee Funeral Home. Activa pallbearers will be Oaky Henderson, Gomer Farley, Coy Moore, George Ohler, Joe Bond and Frank Humphrey. on October 24, 1951.⁶

     Juanita Mae Shumate was buried at Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor Road, Mount Tabor, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^5,6 Her Social Security Number was 235-46-1461.⁷ She was born on March 14, 1917 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,7,6 As of October 6, 1932,her married name was Smith.² She married George Clayton Smith on October 6, 1932 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² Juanita Mae Shumate died on March 23, 1998 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 81.^7,5,6 She LESTER - Juanita Mae Smith, 81, of Lester died March 23, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Lester, a member of Lester Baptist Church, received degrees in education from Concord College and Marshall University and was a retired elementary schoolteacher with 29 years' service, having taught in Slab Fork, Glen White and Lester schools. Surviving: daughters, Wanda O'Dell of Falls Church, Va., Florence Kuhn of Poquoson, Va., Ellen Houchins of Daniels, Virginia Hall, with whom she resided; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, with Pastor Jake May and evangelist Carl Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Calfee Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Lester Baptist Church, Lester, W.Va. 25865. on March 24, 1998.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 232-28-6643.⁶ Howard Francis Shumate was buried at Beaver Cemetery and Mausoleum, Beaver, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania.⁷ He was born on December 12, 1919 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^6,2,8 He married Betty Eloise Leatherman in July, 1954 at Maryland.³ Howard Francis Shumate died on November 17, 1983 at Cecil Co., Maryland, at age 63.^6,8

     George Clayton Smith was buried at Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor Road, Mount Tabor, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² He was born on June 24, 1908 at Carroll Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married Juanita Mae Shumate, daughter of Crockett Newton Shumate and Lillie Mae Bryson, on October 6, 1932 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ George Clayton Smith died on April 28, 1945 at West Virginia at age 36.²

     Ellen Frances Smith Ellen Frances Smith Houchins, 83, of Wellford, SC, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. Born August 1, 1936, in Lester, WV, daughter of the late George Clayton and Juanita Mae Shumate Smith; wife of Clayton Leon Houchins, Sr. Employed with Raleigh County schools in West Virginia, teaching children to read for over 30 years. While in West Virginia, she was a devoted member of Memorial Baptist Church. Since coming to South Carolina, Ellen attended Bible Study Fellowship, where she made many wonderful friends. She was a faithful member of Church 247 where she led a weekly prayer group, “Praying for Israel”. Ellen could also be found traveling with her daughter, Debbie, for Hannah’s Hope Ministries. In addition to her husband of 59 years, survived by her daughter, Deborah Ellen "Debbie” Sobeski" (Mickey) of Roebuck, SC; son, Clayton Leon Houchins, Jr., (Hope) of Boiling Springs, SC; three grandchildren, Michael Sobeski (Emily), Andrew Sobeski (Bekah), and Caleb Cabiness (Hannah); two sisters, Wanda O’Dell McGuiness of Ashburn, VA and Florence Martin (Gene) of Poquoson, VA; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her granddaughter, Hannah Marie Sobeski (1988-2006); and a sister, Virginia May Hall. The family received friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 15, 2019, at Dunbar Funeral Home. Funeral services were at 3:00 pm, Friday, August 16, 2019, at Church 247, 2610 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs, SC, officiated by Pastor Clayton Houchins and Reverend Sal Barone. Burial followed in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.² She was buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, Spartanburg Co., South Carolina.² Her married name was Houchins.² She married Clayton Leon Houchins Sr.² Ellen Frances Smith was born on August 1, 1936 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² She died on August 13, 2019 at Spartanburg Co., South Carolina, at age 83.²

     Cecil Dennis Cooke was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 233-30-9095.⁴ He was born on September 10, 1905 at Sun Hill, Wyoming Co., West Virginia.^1,4,2,3 He married Nelle Bryson, daughter of Oliver Alexandria Bryson and Sophia N. Jones, on April 3, 1969 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,5 Cecil Dennis Cooke died on November 30, 1994 at West Virginia at age 89.^4,3

     Her Social Security Number was 235-50-0507.³ Liza Jeanne Blagg was buried at Kings Chapel Cemetery, Ohio City, Gallia Co., Ohio.⁴ She and Charles William "Bill" Burlingame were divorced.⁵ Liza Jeanne Blagg was born circa 1934 at Boone Co., West Virginia.^5,2 As of October 3, 1954,her married name was Burlingame.² She married Charles William "Bill" Burlingame, son of William Edward Burlingame and Clarice Louise "Clara" Poff, on October 3, 1954 at Parkersburg, Wood Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Liza Jeanne Blagg died on April 4, 1988 at Gallia Co., Ohio.⁵

     Desta Louise Burlingame was buried at Comer Cemetery, Loudendale, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.² Her married name was Lanham.² She married Steven Bruce Lanham.² Desta Louise Burlingame was born on December 4, 1961.² She died on May 13, 2001 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 39.² She Desta Louise Lanham, 39, of Loudendale went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 13, 2001, in CAMC Memorial Hospital after having open heart surgery. Born Dec. 4, 1961, she was the daughter of Charles W. "Bill" Burlingame and the late Liza J. Burlingame. She was employed by Goff's Carry Out, Loudendale, and was a member of the Loudendale Church of the Nazarene. Desta was a person who touched the lives of many people. Surviving: husband, Steven Bruce Lanham; son, Steven Micheal Lanham; stepsons, Steven Bruce Lanham II of Dunbar, Jeremy Keith Lanham and Christopher Steven Lanham of Nashville, Tenn; brother, Charles W. "Chuck" Burlingame II of Jackson, Miss; sisters, Clarice Beaver of Gallipolis, Ohio, Anita Hall, Linda Burlingame and Cynndchildrethia Wheeler, all of Houston, Texas; mother-and father-in-law, Patricia and Danny L. Russell of Charleston; sisters-in-law, Tia Lanham of South Charleston, Kathy O'Neal of St. Albans; many nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Loudendale Church of the Nazarene, Loudendale, with Pastor David Clark officiating. Burial will be in the Comer Cemetery, Loudendale. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Good Shepherd Mortuary, South Charleston, is in charge of arrangements. on May 15, 2001.²