Person Page - 2539

     Elmer Rice Jr. Elmer "Elmo" Rice Jr., May 1, 1940 – Jan 8, 2025. We bid farewell to Elmer "Elmo" Rice, Jr., 84, born May 1, 1940. A true friend and beacon of life who departed from this world on January 8th, 2025 (waiting on Heather to change his clock) surrounded by his wife, Marietta, his granddaughter, Brooke, and his great-grandson, Kayden. Leaving behind a legacy of warmth and kindness Elmo walked through life with a gentle strength, touching the lives of all he encountered with unforgettable grace. Leaving behind is wife of 58 years, Marietta Barker Rice and she wants him to know " Your Life was a blessing, your memory is a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. You are gone from our sights, but never from our hearts." He leaves behind his two daughters, Debra Belcher and husband, Kevin and Heather Rice. He was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Brooke Adkins and husband, Stephen, Kyle Belcher and wife, Hollie, Chandler Belcher, D.J. Hale, and Harlee Pinter; 3 great grandchildren, Abigail Sevigny, Gabriel Belcher; and a very special great-grandson, Kayden Belcher. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, JoAnne Rice and several nieces and nephews. Elmo was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Elmer Rice, Sr. Along with his brothers, William "Bill" Rice, Larry Rice and wife, Tina, and a infant brother, Nelson Eddy Rice. Elmo spent four years in the US Air Force and loved serving his country. He worked for FMC in South Charleston for 7 years and then moved to Beckley and worked for 29 years at Pittston Coal Company. After retirement, he had a love for fishing, but an even greater love for gardening and making that his passion. No garden magazine could match his produce, especially his tomatoes. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Pallbearers will be: Stephen Adkins, Kyle Belcher, Kayden Belcher, Shawn Burdette, D.J. Hale. and Larry Rice.⁴ He was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁴ He was born on May 1, 1940 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,4 He married Marietta Jo Barker on June 17, 1966 at South Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^2,4 Elmer Rice Jr. died on January 8, 2025 at West Virginia at age 84.⁴

     Larry Rice was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² He Larry Rice, 71, of Oak Hill, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2016. Born July 18, 1944 in Amigo, WV, he was the son of the late Elmer and Pearl Juanita Beckelhimer Rice. Larry was a retired coal miner having last worked for Ranger Fuel. He loved hunting, fishing and woodworking. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a proud supporter of all veterans. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Nelson Eddie and William G. Rice. Larry is survived by his wife Christina Ann Rice; sons, Larry Allen and Michelle of Oak Hill, Jerry Wayne and Angie of Oak Hill; daughter, Michele Rice of Beckley; grandchildren, Robert, Cody, Hunter, Maci, Tyler, Lauren, Jared, Alyssa; great grandchildren, Kaleigh, Caden; brother, Elmer Rice, Jr. and Marietta of Sophia; sister-in-law, Joann Rice of Pensacola, FL. The family would like to give a special thanks to Larry’s caregiver, Lisa. A private committal service will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.² He married Christina Ann Unknown.² Larry Rice was born on July 18, 1944 at Amigo, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² He died on June 4, 2016 at West Virginia at age 71.²

     Virginia Mae/May Richmond was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^5,4 Her Social Security Number was 232-84-6742.⁶ She and Dennie Eugene Smith Sr. were divorced.⁴ Virginia Mae/May Richmond was born on December 6, 1949 at Glen Morgan, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,6 As of July 13, 1968,her married name was Smith.² She married Dennie Eugene Smith Sr. on July 13, 1968 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 Virginia Mae/May Richmond died on January 13, 1998 at New Haven, Allen Co., Indiana, at age 48.^6,4,3 She Virginia May Smith, 48, died Tuesday at home. Born in Beckley, W.Va., she was a waitress and housekeeper. Surviving are two sons, Bryan and Dennis E. II, both of New Haven; her mother, Inez Richmond of Blue Jay, W.Va; a sister, Linda Nicholas of Glen Morgan, W.Va; and three brothers, Richard Richmond and Danny Richmond, both of Blue Jay, and William H. Richmond Jr. of Shady Springs, W.Va. Services pending through Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. Burial in Blue Ridge Memorial Cemetery, Beckley. on January 15, 1998.³

     Dennie Eugene Smith Sr. and Virginia Mae/May Richmond were divorced.³ Dennie Eugene Smith Sr. was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁴ He was born on December 14, 1949 at West Virginia.² He married Virginia Mae/May Richmond, daughter of William Hubert Richmond and Inez Luella Pigg, on July 13, 1968 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 Dennie Eugene Smith Sr. died on January 13, 1998 at age 48.

     His Social Security Number was 233-54-8665.⁸ Ronald Ray Cooney was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.^2,4 He was born on July 13, 1938 at West Virginia.^7,8,2,4,9 He married Etha Rae Harris in January, 1959 at Jackson Co., Florida.⁵ Ronald Ray Cooney married Marion Claudette McElwain on August 9, 1974 at South Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.⁶ Ronald Ray Cooney died on March 29, 1992 at Alexandria, Virginia, at age 53.^3,2,4,9

     Joyce Ann Cooney was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁴ She was born circa May, 1940 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,2 As of November 6, 1964,her married name was Watkins.² She married Paul Watkins on November 6, 1964 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.² Joyce Ann Cooney died on April 14, 1971 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio.^4,5 She Kerosene traces found at scene of fatal fire. Use of kerosene in the first-floor hallway of the building in which fire killed three persons early Wednesday was determined Thursday, Acting Fire Chief Joseph Devine said. A chemical analysis disclosed that kerosene had been used in the hallway where the three-alarm blaze originated, Devine added. Officials lacked knowledge, however, of a specific suspect or motive for the fire which killed Paul Watkins, 27, his wife, Joyce, 30, and their son, Paul Allen, five, on the third floor of the building at 6 E. 13th St. Sgt. Eugene Moore, Homicide Squad, said detectives questioned two possible suspects Wednesday and Thursday, but could find no evidence that either was connected with starting the fire. "We have no evidence at this point that foul play was involved, but we are investigating the possibility," Moore said. "At this point, none of the elements of a crime have been uncovered. "The fire department could only tell us there was a probability of arson, because of indications some sort of flammable material was used." Funeral services for the Watkins family will be at 11 a. m. Saturday at the Calfee Funeral Home, Beckely, W. Va. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Mr. Watkins is survived by his father, Bernie, Cincinnati, and mother, Mrs. Florence Campbell. Mrs. Watkins is survived by her mother, Mrs. Clara Cooney, Beckley, and brother, Donald Cooney, Richmond, Ky. on April 16, 1971.⁴

     Paul Watkins was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ He was born circa 1941 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio.¹ He married Joyce Ann Cooney, daughter of Leonard Cooney and Clara Barton Polk, on November 6, 1964 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.¹ Paul Watkins died on April 14, 1971 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio.^2,3 He Kerosene traces found at scene of fatal fire. Use of kerosene in the first-floor hallway of the building in which fire killed three persons early Wednesday was determined Thursday, Acting Fire Chief Joseph Devine said. A chemical analysis disclosed that kerosene had been used in the hallway where the three-alarm blaze originated, Devine added. Officials lacked knowledge, however, of a specific suspect or motive for the fire which killed Paul Watkins, 27, his wife, Joyce, 30, and their son, Paul Allen, five, on the third floor of the building at 6 E. 13th St. Sgt. Eugene Moore, Homicide Squad, said detectives questioned two possible suspects Wednesday and Thursday, but could find no evidence that either was connected with starting the fire. "We have no evidence at this point that foul play was involved, but we are investigating the possibility," Moore said. "At this point, none of the elements of a crime have been uncovered. "The fire department could only tell us there was a probability of arson, because of indications some sort of flammable material was used." Funeral services for the Watkins family will be at 11 a. m. Saturday at the Calfee Funeral Home, Beckely, W. Va. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Mr. Watkins is survived by his father, Bernie, Cincinnati, and mother, Mrs. Florence Campbell. Mrs. Watkins is survived by her mother, Mrs. Clara Cooney, Beckley, and brother, Donald Cooney, Richmond, Ky. on April 16, 1971.³

     Her Social Security Number was 236-98-3548.² Grace Dexter "Gracie" Meadows was buried at Jennings Cemetery on Stovall's Ridge, Camp Creek, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ Her married name was Roberts.¹ She married Delbert D. Roberts.¹ Grace Dexter "Gracie" Meadows was born on October 17, 1913 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,2 She died on August 17, 1997 at age 83.^3,2

     Her Social Security Number was 234-56-0640.³ Her married name was Smith.¹ Gleema Marie West married Amon Smith, son of James Jacob "Jim" Smith and Prudence Caramina Light.¹ Gleema Marie West was born on November 23, 1914 at Prudence, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^3,2 She died on October 1, 2002 at age 87.³

     Walter Brown Liptrap was buried at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.⁴ He married India Anna Smith, daughter of James Jacob "Jim" Smith and Prudence Caramina Light.⁵ Walter Brown Liptrap was born on September 28, 1888 at Bath Co., Virginia; His death certificate has a birth date of Aug 28, 1889.^3,2 He died on December 16, 1967 at Thurmond, Fayette Co., West Virginia, at age 79.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 278-22-0470.³ John Thomas Brown was born on January 1, 1929 at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.^1,2,3 He married Ethel Irene Liptrap, daughter of Walter Brown Liptrap and India Anna Smith, on August 27, 1979 at Summit Co., Ohio.^1,4 John Thomas Brown died on May 14, 2000 at age 71.³

     Pansy Ellen Swanigan was buried at Smith's Cemetery, 581 Greentown Loop, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^3,6,5 She was born on August 3, 1929 at Sanger, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^2,3 As of September 28, 1946,her married name was Evans.² She married Hubert Lee Evans on September 28, 1946 at Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^2,4,3,5 Pansy Ellen Swanigan died on April 10, 1966 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 36.^3,5 She Services for Mrs. Pansy Ellen Evans, 36, Route 1, Oak Hill, will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel at Oak Hill with the Rev. Oscar Martin in charge. Burial will be in the Smith Cemetery at Route 1. Mrs. Evans died Sunday in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. Born in Fayette County, she was a daughter of Richard Swanigan of Fayetteville, Route 1, and the late Mamie Smith Swanigan. She was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church at Meadow Fork. Other survivors include her husband, Hubert; three sons, Thomas R., Bobby Joe and Jimmy W., all of Oak Hill, Route 1, and a half sister, Mrs. Helen Johnson of Oak Hill. on April 11, 1966.⁵

     Hubert Lee Evans was buried at Smith's Cemetery, 581 Greentown Loop, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^3,5 His Social Security Number was 233-20-8011.⁶ He was born on August 7, 1918 at Gatewood, Fayette Co., West Virginia; His obituary has an incorrect birth year of 1919.^2,6,4,5 He married Pansy Ellen Swanigan, daughter of Richard Albert Swanigan and Mamie Smith, on September 28, 1946 at Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^2,1,7,8 Hubert Lee Evans died on August 6, 2003 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^6,5 He OAK HILL — Hubert Evans, 83, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital in Beckley following a long illness. Born Aug. 7, 1919, at Sanger, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Myrtle Kathern Pincher Evans. Mr. Evans was a retired coal miner with 40 years of service, having worked for New River Coal Company at Lochgelly, Summerlee and Siltex. He was a member of the UMWA District 29, Local 1353. He was preceded in death by two sons, Hubert Lee “Buddy” Evans Jr. and Jimmy Wayne Evans; four brothers and two sisters. Survivors include his wife, Madge Willis Evans; children: Thomas R. Evans of Oak Hill, Bobby Joe Evans of Glen Jean, Earlene Weis of Gloucester, Va., Russell Weis of Fayetteville, Anna Evans of Oak Hill, Alice Sutphin of Oak Hill; a brother, Charles Evans of Scarbro; two sisters, Elsie Smith of Oak Hill and Inez Elder of Oak Hill; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Allen Shields officiating. Burial will follow in the Smith Family
Cemetery at Meadow Fork. on August 8, 2003.⁵

     George Edward Berry was buried at Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor Road, Mount Tabor, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,4 His Social Security Number was 234-90-4480.⁵ He was born on June 3, 1897 at Quinnimont, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4,5 He married Cleopatra C. "Patra" "Cleo" McNeil, daughter of Casabianca A. "Cas" McNiel and Nancy Ann Smith, on July 4, 1917 at Harper, Roane Co., West Virginia.^1,4 George Edward Berry died on June 5, 1950 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 53.^3,4 He Funeral services will be held today George Edward Berry, 53, of Beckley, who died at 5:45 p.m. Monday in a local hospital following a two week illness. The Rev. B. C. Jennings will officiate with burial to follow in Calfee Cemetery at Mount Tabor. Born at Quinnimont, Berry was a son of the late Jake and Katherine Ball Berry. He was a lifetime resident of Raleigh County. He was employed at Eccles until his retirement in 1927 because of injuries sustained in an accident. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Cleo McNeil Berry; two sons, Charles Berry of Washington, D.C., and Paul Berry of Owassa, Ala; two daughters, Mrs. Paul Davis of Harper Heights and Mrs. Ruby Maynor of Beckley; one brother, John Berry of Beckley, and eight grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Spiro Gagricia, Howard Biggs, W. E. Nickels, Clarence Atkins, Marshall Chapman, and Frank Stover. on June 7, 1950.⁴

     Tidewell Raymond "Ray" Lester was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^6,5 He Tidewell Ray Lester, 72, of Beckley, died Friday in a Beckley hospital of an apparent heart attack. He was a native of Ohley, a long time resident of Beckley, a member of the Maxwell Hill Baptist Church and a member of the UMW of Eccles. Surviving: daughters, Mrs. Ovella Kearns and Mrs. Bernice Privett, both of Palmdale, Calif., Mrs. Janice Copus of Utica, Mich; sons, Edward of Westland, Mich., and Ronald of Beckley; brother Roy of Beckley; 17 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.⁵ His Social Security Number was 236-07-3801.⁷ He was born on May 24, 1900 at West Virginia.^1,3,7 He married Callie Mae McNeil, daughter of Casabianca A. "Cas" McNiel and Nancy Ann Smith, circa 1919.^8,2,9 Tidewell Raymond "Ray" Lester died on November 3, 1972 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 72.^7,5