Person Page - 2347

     Her Social Security Number was 236-56-5339.⁴ Leona Grace Hatcher was buried at Redden Cemetery, Crow, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^5,3 She was born on March 29, 1913 at Spanishburg, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,3 As of April 14, 1935,her married name was Bowling.¹ She married Theron Ralph Bowling, son of David Lindsey Bowling and Bessie Evelyn Cole, on April 14, 1935 at Glen Hedrick, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,6,3 Leona Grace Hatcher died on September 30, 1995 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 82.^4,3 She Mrs. Leona Grace Hatcher Bowling, 82 , of Beckley, formerly of Crow, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 1995, in a Beckley care center following a long illness. Born March 29, 1913, at Spanishburg, she was the daughter of the late John Henry and Mamie V. Walls Hatcher. Mrs. Bowling was a homemaker, the owner of Bowling’s Grocery at Crow, was of the Baptist faith and attended several area churches. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theron Bowling and four brothers, Earl, Loren, Lowell and Dwight Hatcher. Survivors include a son, Calvin R. Bowling and his wife, Ruby, of Beckley; a daughter, Gwendolyn Worley Richmond and her husband, Silas "Pete," of Beckley; a brother, Eugene Hatcher of Kingsport, Tenn; a sister, Millicent Redden of Grandview; six grandchildren, Cathy Sullivan, Christie Bowling, Sharon and Kevin Worley, Bradley Richmond and Rhonda Collins, and 13 great-grandchildren. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Oscar Schwitzerlette officiating. Burial will follow in the Redden Cemetery at Crow. on October 3, 1995.³

     Nannie Bettie Walters was born circa 1901 at Monroe Co., West Virginia.¹ As of July 4, 1918,her married name was Light.¹ She married Cyrus Hugh "Huey" Light, son of John Ballard Light and Rebecca Ann "Annie" Link, on July 4, 1918 at Greenville, Monroe Co., West Virginia.¹

     Charles Johnson Ransom was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^4,3 His Social Security Number was 719-03-3000.⁵ He was born on November 6, 1912 at Summers Co., West Virginia.^1,5 He married Clarice L. "Clara" Broce, daughter of Clarence Leonard Broce and Roxie Leah Hall, on August 17, 1933 at Summers Co., West Virginia.¹ Charles Johnson Ransom died on October 24, 1986 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 73.^5,4,3 He DANIELS - Charles Johnson Ransom, 73, of Daniels, Raleigh County, died Oct. 24, 1986, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley. He was owner-operator of Ransom's Market in Beaver. Surviving: sons, Franklin Sr. of Beaver, Clarence L. of Crestview, Fla; brother, John Noel Ransom of Nebraska; sisters, Cora Lee Hall, Susie Ransom, and Pearl Underwood, all of Beaver, Doris Dempsey of Titusville, Fla., Mary Lilly of Beckley; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, with the Rev. Ted Lilly and the Rev. Don Pfleyer officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. on October 26, 1986.³

     His Social Security Number was 235-26-1632.² Cauley Edward Hill was born on June 29, 1906 at West Virginia.^1,2 He married Nellie Cleo Bruce, daughter of Arthur Eugene Bruce and Carrie Elizabeth Hall, on August 25, 1926 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ Cauley Edward Hill died on September 16, 1987 at West Virginia at age 81.²

     Her married name was Bailey.³ Mary Emmaline Hill was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ She married Unknown Bailey.³ Mary Emmaline Hill was born on June 18, 1929 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ As of circa 1952,her married name was Howell.³ She married Martin Luther Howell Jr. circa 1952.³ Mary Emmaline Hill died on April 8, 2012 at Pipestem, Summers Co., West Virginia, at age 82.³ She PIPESTEM - Mary E. Howell, 82, of Pipestem, died Saturday evening, April 8, 2012 at her home with her loving family gathered by her side. Born June 18, 1929, in Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Cauley E. Hill and Nellie Cleo Bruce Hill. Mary was a graduate of Princeton High School, a former cook at Pipestem Elementary School and with Pipestem State Park (Black Bear Restaurant). Mary was a devoted member of Painters Chapel United Methodist Church, the Willing Workers Class and with other areas within the church. She loved her Lord and her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Donna Howell. Survivors include her devoted husband of 60 years, Martin Luther Howell; six children, Michael Reed Bailey and wife, Kathy of Delaware, Martin Edward Howell, Kenneth "Jerry" Howell, both of True, Regina Carol Danieley of Pipestem, Timothy Wayne Howell of Pipestem, Thomas Kevin Howell and wife, Melissa of Charlotte, N.C., and the apple of her eyes, her 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Richard and Jeannie Hill of Speedway, Gene and Mary Hill of Princeton, Linda and Dickie Mills of Florida, Ernestine Clark of Athens, Dena Lucas of Staffordsville, Va; and her former daughter-in-law, Helen Smith of Delaware. A celebration of life for Mary Howell will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Tommy Mounts officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home. Mary's grandson will serve as pallbearers. The honor of serving the Howell family has been given to the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton. on April 10, 2012.³

     His Social Security Number was 235-38-7915.⁵ Elgin Junior Clark was born on August 27, 1925 at Steelsburg, Russell Co., Virginia; The SSDI and WWII Drafts Card have his birth date as Aug 6, 1927.^5,2,3,4 He married Ernestine C. Hill, daughter of Cauley Edward Hill and Nellie Cleo Bruce, on February 1, 1947 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ Elgin Junior Clark died on February 12, 1995 at age 69.⁵

     Robert Todd Metrick was buried at Fairview Cemetery, Forest Hill, Summers Co., West Virginia.² He was born on October 18, 1939 at Sprague, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 He married Nancy Ruth Adkins, daughter of Ralph M. Adkins and Ruth E. Brown, on September 19, 1959 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ Robert Todd Metrick died on February 28, 1962 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 22.²

     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