Person Page - 6520

     Betty Jean Crotty was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,2 She was born on January 28, 1928 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2 As of October 18, 1952,her married name was Pendleton.¹ She married William David Pendleton, son of Edward Summers Pendleton and Bertha Bee Elmore, on October 18, 1952 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,4,2 Betty Jean Crotty died on March 3, 1969 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 41.²

     John Henry Hedrick was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4 He was born on May 3, 1891 at Oakvale, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3,5,6 He married Mattie Arnold Elmore, daughter of William Ballard Elmore and Sarah Mariah Taylor, on May 21, 1913 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,7,4 John Henry Hedrick died on December 14, 1953 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 62.^2,3,4 He John Henry Hedrick, 62, of Princeton died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. Mr. Hedrick was director of maintenance for the Mercer County Board of Education, where he had been employed for the past 16 years. He was a member of the First Christian Church and had served as a deacon of the church for 20 years. He was born at Oakvale, the son of Jack and Josie Hedrick, the former Miss Mattie Elmore, whom he married on May 21, 1912; seven children: John H. Hedrick Jr., of New Castle, Pa., William Hedrick, of Princeton, Mrs. Eula Sowers, Bluefield, Miss Ruby Hedrick, Mrs. Louise R. Robinette, Mrs. Kathleen Carter and Mrs. Effie Ball, all of Princeton. Two sisters, Mrs. John H. Fulcher of Crab Orchard, and Mrs. Kate Fullon of Ronceverte, and 11 grandchildren also survive. One son preceded him in death. Burial will follow in Resthaven Cemetery at Princeton. Flower bearers will be members of Everymans Bible Class at the Church. Pallbearers will be Kelly Brooks, Frank Pettrey, Garnet Wagner, Junior Osborne, Lawrence Crawford, W. S. Crawford, Homer Wyrick, Bud Barnette. on December 15, 1953.⁴

     Eula M. Hedrick was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ Her Social Security Number was 235-07-1299.⁹ She was born on April 13, 1914 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^9,4 As of May 14, 1937,her married name was Sowers.³ She married Walter Peck Sowers on May 14, 1937 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 Eula M. Hedrick died on July 3, 1988 at Walterboro, Colleton Co., South Carolina, at age 74.^9,4 She Eula Hedrick Sowers, 74, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Bluefield died Sunday in a Walterboro, S.C. hospital. Born Princeton, she was a daughter of the late John Henry and Mattie Elmor Hedrick. She was a member of First Christian Church of Naples, Fla., and a member of the Napels Commuminty Hospital Auxillary. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter P. Sowers, a sister Louise Robinette, and a brother John Hedrick. Survivors: daughter, Mrs. Marquis A. (Susan) Johnson, Bluefield, Va; sons, Walter L. (Bucky) Sowers Bluefield Va., Richard L. Sowers, Bluefield; sisters, Miss Ruby Hedrick, Mrs. John (Kathleen) Carter, Mrs. Ralph (Effie) Ball of Princeton; brother, W.R. (Droopy) Hedrick of Princeton; and six grandchildren. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. on July 5, 1988.⁴

     Ruby Virginia Hedrick Ruby Virginia Hedrick Walthall, 96, of the Glenwood Park Retirement Village in Princeton died Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at her residence. Born November 25, 1916 in Princeton she was the daughter of the late John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Elmore Hedrick. Ruby was a former bookkeeper for Majestic Laundry in Princeton and the Mercer County Health Center. She was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church in Princeton and was a member of the Business Women's Guild. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas H. "Tom" Walthall; four sisters, Effie Ball, Kathleen Carter, Eula Sowers, and Louise Robinette; and two brothers, W.R. "Droopy" Hedrick and John Henry Hedrick. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors include one daughter, Gayle Walthall Wise and husband Charles of Roanoke, VA; and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the First Christian Church in Princeton with Rev. Bill Pollack officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Park Cemetery in Princeton.³ She was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 Her Social Security Number was 233-10-9125.¹⁰ She was born on November 25, 1916 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4,10 As of circa 1993,her married name was Walthall.¹¹ She married Thomas Herbert "Tom" Walthall circa 1993.^3,11 Ruby Virginia Hedrick died on December 12, 2012 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 96.^3,4,10

     His Social Security Number was 229-05-1409.⁴ John Henry Hedrick Jr. was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁹ He was born on January 6, 1919 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4,10 He married Juanita Mae Gillespie on April 27, 1941 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,11 John Henry Hedrick Jr. died on July 20, 1976 at Kansas City, Kansas, at age 57.^4,12,10,9 He John Henry Hedrick, 57, of 403 Straley Ave, Princeton, died in a veteran’s hospital in Kansas City, Kan. Tuesday following a short illness. Born in Princeton, he was a son of Mrs. Mattie Hedrick of Princeton and the late John H. Hedrick. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Princeton, and an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors, other than his mother, include his wife, Mrs. Jaunita Hedrick of Hampton, Va; one son, Stephen Hedrick of Hampton; one daughter, Mrs. Paul (Darlene) Hurd of Contoocook, N.H; five sisters, Mrs. Walter (Eula) Stowers of Bluefield, and Miss Ruby Hedrick, Mrs. Louise Robinette, Mrs. John (Kathleen) Carter, and Mrs. Ralph (Effie) Ball, all of Princeton; one brother, William H. Hedrick of Princeton; and four grandchildren. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park with pallbearers Merdith Via, Earl Hensley, Rusty Hedrick, Johnney Carter, Buck Stowers, and Skipper Ball. on July 22, 1976.⁹

     His Social Security Number was 234-20-4263.⁵ William Roscoe Hedrick Mr. W. R. "Droopy" Hedrick 86 of Sunrise Ave., Princeton died peacefully Friday, October 26, 2007 at the Glenwood Retirement Village in Princeton. Born March 3, 1921 at Princeton, he was the son of the late J. H. and Mattie Elmore Hedrick. Droopy serviced as a constable for Mercer County, a policeman for the city of Princeton and a bailiff for the Honorable Judges Howard Jarrett and Judge John R. Frazier. He was a member and elder of the First Christian Church on Straley Ave. in Princeton. Droopy refereed Basket Ball and umpired baseball for many years. He was a disabled Veteran serving with the US Navy during WW II. He was a graduate of Graham High School in Bluefield, Va. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Lou Hedrick in 1999; and one son Larry Lee Hedrick in 1948. Survivors: Sons, Rocky Hedrick and wife Karen, Rusty Hedrick and wife Cheri; Grandchildren, Melissa Ammons, Amanda Kennedy, Amy Hedrick and John Henry Hedrick; Great Grandchild, Jackson Ammons; Sister, Ruby Hedrick Walthall of Princeton. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery on the New Hope Road in Princeton.¹¹ He was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹¹ He was born on March 3, 1921 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^{5,4,11,13,14,12} He married Magel Louise McKinney on July 21, 1947 at Arlington, Virginia.^3,15 William Roscoe Hedrick died on October 26, 2007 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 86.^5,11,13,14

     Her Social Security Number was 235-30-7756.⁹ Ina Louise Hedrick was born on June 21, 1923 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,9 As of April 20, 1946,her married name was Robinette.⁴ She married Randolph Straley Robinette on April 20, 1946 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ Ina Louise Hedrick died on December 9, 1986 at Floyd Co., Kentucky, at age 63.^9,10

     Her Social Security Number was 232-34-0784.⁴ Effie Gray Hedrick was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^11,10 She was born on February 8, 1929 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,10 As of July 15, 1947,her married name was Ball.³ She married Ralph Eugene Ball on July 15, 1947 at Narrows, Giles Co., Virginia.^3,5,7,10,12 Effie Gray Hedrick died on December 18, 2003 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 74.^4,13,10 She Effie Gray Ball, 74, of 701 Straley Ave. in Princeton, died Thursday Dec. 18, 2003, at Princeton Community Hospital. Born in Princeton, Feb. 8, 1929, she was the daughter of the late John Henry and Mattie Elmore Hedrick. She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church where she served in the Barbara Farmer Circle and service department of the Christian Women’s Fellowship. She worked as a clerk for Columbia Gas Company in Princeton for several years and served as an aide in the Mercer County School System for a brief period. She was a very devoted mother and was active in the school lives of her children serving in the PTA and a variety of school related activities. She was a 1947 graduate of Princeton High School. She was formerly an avid bridge player and enjoyed spending time with her special group of friends. One brother, John Henry Hedrick and three sisters, Eula Sowers, Louise Robinette, and Kathleen Carter preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Ralph E. Ball of Princeton; two daughters, Jeanie Peal and husband Steve and Debra Ball all of Princeton; two sons, Ralph E. "Skip" Ball Jr. and wife Cannon and Brad Lee Ball all of Princeton; four grandchildren, Melissa Jean Peal-Auville and husband John, Brad L. "B.J." Ball Jr., Wendy Peal Johnson and husband Craig, and Paige Amber Ball and special friend Ken Belcher; one brother, WR. "Droopy" Hedrick and one sister, Ruby Hedrick Walthall and husband Tom all of Princeton. Entombment will follow in Resthaven Park Cemetery Mausoleum in Princeton, family and friends will serve as pallbearers. on December 20, 2003.¹⁰

     Ralph Eugene Ball was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,2 He was born on November 14, 1926 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ He married Effie Gray Hedrick, daughter of John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Arnold Elmore, on July 15, 1947 at Narrows, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,4,5,6,2 Ralph Eugene Ball died on June 21, 2018 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 91.² He Ralph Eugene Ball, 91 of Princeton died Thursday, June 21, 2018 in Bluefield. Born in Princeton November 14, 1926 he was the son of the late Clarence Edward and Arbelia Ann Snider Ball. Following graduation from Princeton High School, Ralph earned a scholarship to and played basketball at West Virginia University with the intention of majoring in Physical Education. After one year he was drafted and left school for the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War ll. Following his discharge from the military he returned to Concord College where he played ball and earned his Degree in Education in 1951 and later his Master of Science from Radford University in 1974. He taught and coached in the Mercer County School system starting at Spanishburg High School before becoming a teacher and Head Basketball Coach at Princeton High School in 1960. Ralph stayed at Princeton High School for the next 29 years where he coached 643 games, won six consecutive sectional titles from 1979 to 1984, went to three consecutive state championship finals claiming the state championships in 1979 and 1981 and earned numerous accolades for his players, himself and Princeton High School throughout his career. Ralph truly earned the title "Heart and Soul of Princeton Basketball". He was named to the Princeton High School Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2008 the City of Princeton declared September 20 to be Ralph Ball Day and at a reception and dinner honoring him the Princeton High School Gym was renamed in his honor. It would be impossible to count the number of children, young men and women and adult lives Ralph Ball touched throughout the years and the respect he has earned with his hard work, discipline and expectations of success he maintained for each of them. In addition to his parents his wife, Effie Gray Ball; three brothers, C.E. Ball, Jr., Carl Ball and S.W. "Buck" Ball; five sisters, Hazel Nicely, Sadie Collins, Helen Elam, Hallie Young and B. Joyce Ball preceded him in death. Survivors include two daughters, Jeanie Peal and her husband Steve and Debra Ball all of Princeton; two sons, Ralph E. "Skip" Ball and his wife Carmen of Princeton and Brad Lee Ball of Beckley; four grandchildren, Melissa Jean "Misty" Peal and her companion Derek Hudson, Brad "BJ" Ball, Jr. and his wife Carmen, Wendy Peal Johnson and her husband Craig and Paige Amber Belcher and her husband Ken; six great-grandchildren, Emma Gray Johnson, Jackson and Amber Belcher, Liam, Logan and Luke Ball. Entombment will follow in Resthaven Park Cemetery Mausoleum in Princeton where the WV National Guard Honor Guard will conduct military honors. on June 25, 2018.²

     Juanita Mae Gillespie was born circa 1921 at Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.² As of April 27, 1941,her married name was Hedrick.² She married John Henry Hedrick Jr., son of John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Arnold Elmore, on April 27, 1941 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2

     Walter Peck Sowers was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 235-07-1247.⁴ He was born on March 15, 1918 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,4,5,6 He married Eula M. Hedrick, daughter of John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Arnold Elmore, on May 14, 1937 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,7 Walter Peck Sowers died on October 7, 1976 at Naples, Collier Co., Florida, at age 58.^3,6 He Walter P. (Shorty) Sowers, age 58, of No. 7 Moonstone Circle, died Thursday. He had been a resident since 1971, coming from Bluefield, W.Va. Mr. Sowers was a member of the First Christian Church of both Naples and Bluefield, W.Va. Until his retirement in 1971 he served as president of Pocahontas Welding Supply Co. of Bluefield, W.Va., and since 1971 he had served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the PEMCO Corp., Bluefield, the BPOE of Princeton, W.Va., the Fincastle Country Club of Bluefield, the Lely Country Club of Naples and the National Welding & Supply Assn. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eula H. Sowers; two sons, Walter Lee (Buck) Sowers and Richard L. Sowers, both of Bluefield, W.Va., a daughter, Mrs. Marquis A. (Susan) Johnson of Bluefield, his mother, Mrs. Mary P. Sowers, Princeton, W.Va., three grandsons and one granddaughter. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Bluefield, W.Va. on October 8, 1976.³

     Randolph Straley Robinette was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ He was born on September 4, 1919 at Bland Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 He married Ina Louise Hedrick, daughter of John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Arnold Elmore, on April 20, 1946 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ Randolph Straley Robinette died on June 16, 1977 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 57.³

     His Social Security Number was 229-01-5223.⁴ John Wesley Carter Jr. was born on November 1, 1919 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,4,5 He married Emma Kathleen Hedrick, daughter of John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Arnold Elmore, on June 11, 1948 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,6,2 John Wesley Carter Jr. died on January 25, 2003 at South Carolina at age 83.^4,7

     Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4 He was born on March 17, 1895 at Tazewell Co., Virginia.^3,4 He married Viola Virginia Elmore, daughter of William Ballard Elmore and Sarah Mariah Taylor, circa 1918.^1,3,4,5 Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick died on May 28, 1944 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 49.^3,4 He Funeral services will be conducted this afternoon at 2:30 for Thomas Clayton Hedrick, 49, who died at Memorial hospital at 4:15 Sunday morning, death being due to a heart ailment. He had been critically ill for about a week. The services will be conducted at the First Christian church, Princeton, by the pastor, the Rev. John M. Dunn, and will be followed by interment in Resthaven Memorial Park cemetery. Born in Tazewell county, Va., May 17, 1895, he was was the son of T. J. and Josie Smith Hedrick. He was a carpenter, but for several years had been supervisor of the Mercer county farm at Gardner. He married Viola Elmore, Princeton. Pallbearers will be: George Edmunds, Clyde White, Chap Johnston, Hack Scott, R. H. Thomas, Will Lambert, Albert Toney, Robert Rowland. Nieces of the deceased will be flower bearers. Surviving are his wife and the following children: Mrs. Clinton Richardson, Princeton; Staff Sgt. Dale Hedrick, stationed somewhere in England; Inez, Buford, Fred, L. A., Ethel May, Norma Jean, Nancy Jane, Martha Ann, and Evelyn Ruth, all at home; also three brothers, W. H. Hedrick, Huntington; J . H. Hedrick, Princeton; T. B. Hedrick, Narrows, and two sisters, Mrs. Corbett Fletcher, Crab Orchard, and Mrs. Guy Fullen, Ronceverte, and one grandson. on May 30, 1944.⁴

     Clarence Thedford Swim Sr. was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ His Social Security Number was 236-07-7259.⁵ He was born on May 26, 1895 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,5,6,4 He married Nellie Inez Elmore, daughter of William Ballard Elmore and Sarah Mariah Taylor, on September 19, 1917 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,7,4 Clarence Thedford Swim Sr. died on February 3, 1974 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 78.⁴ He Clarence T. Swim Sr., 78, of Princeton, died Sunday in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born in Princeton, he was a son of the late Michael and Alice Smith Swim. He was a retired employe of the West Virginia Department of Highways. He was a member of the Princeton First Christian Church and Woodmen of the World. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Nellie Elmore Swim; one son, C. T. Swim Jr. of Princeton; two daughters, Mrs. Lawrence K. Cruise Jr. of Valtaraifo, Ind., and Mrs. Virginia Hammes of Rockville, Md; three sisters, Mrs. Lola Miller, Mrs. Flora Brewster and Mrs. Sue Elmore of Princeton; two brothers, Tony Swim of Princeton and Aubrey Swim of Pineville; seven grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Bluefield-Princeton Road. Pallbearers will be senior and junior members of Princeton Rescue Squad. on February 4, 1974.⁴

     Magel Louise McKinney was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.² She was born on November 8, 1922 at Matoaka, Mercer Co., West Virginia.² As of July 21, 1947,her married name was Hedrick.¹ She married William Roscoe Hedrick, son of John Henry Hedrick and Mattie Arnold Elmore, on July 21, 1947 at Arlington, Virginia.^1,2 Magel Louise McKinney died on January 15, 1999 at Myrtle Beach, Horry Co., South Carolina, at age 76.² She Magel Louise “Lou” Hedrick, 76, of 1001 Sunrise Ave in the Lilly Grove addition of Princeton, died Friday, Jan 15, 1999, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. Born Nov 8, 1922, in Matoaka, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Effie Lusk McKinney. She was a graduate of Matoaka High School and was a lifelong resident of Mercer County. Mrs. Hedrick was a very active member of the First Christian Church on Straley Avenue in Princeton. She had served as the president of the Christian Women’s Fellowship and was named Mother of the Year in 1980. She held many positions on the main board of the church for many years. She served on the board of stewardship and finance and was a deaconess. She taught Sunday school and was a former circle leader for the Harriet Reynolds Circle of the Church. She was a member of the Christian Companions Sunday school class and was a former board member for the Christian Church in West Virginia. Mrs. Hedrick was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by an infant son, Larry Lee Hedrick. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, William R. “Droopy” Hedrick; two sons, Rocky Hedrick and his wife, Karen, of Bluefield, Va., and Rusty Hedrick and his wife Cheri of Birmingham, Ala; four grandchildren, Melissa, Amy, Amanda and John Henry; and four sisters, Hester Porterfield, Lillian Shaley, Geneva Keatley and Joyce Wicks. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Princeton. Pallbearers will be Marcus Ammons, Steve Peal, Skipper Ball, Walter L. “Bucky” Sowers, Richard L. “Dickie” Sowers and Mark Johnson. on January 19, 1999.²

     His Social Security Number was 235-80-0740.³ Richard Larry Sowers married Rebecca Chapin.⁴ Richard Larry Sowers was born on November 20, 1949 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 He died on November 16, 2005 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 55.^3,4 He Richard L. "Dicky" Sowers, 55, of 1019 Groveland Drive, Bluefield, died Wednesday Nov. 16, 2005 at a Bluefield hospital. Born Nov. 20, 1949 in Princeton, he was a son of the late Walter P. Sowers and Eula Hedrick Sowers. Dicky was a member and Deacon of First Christian Church of Bluefield and was a kitchen and bathroom designer, owning and operating Kitchen’s Plus for many years. Active in both civic and community affairs, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve, was a member of Bluefield Elks Lodge No. 269, was former treasurer of The University Club, was active in the Jaycee’s and was past president of Belle Acres. He loved golfing and fishing, and was a member of Wolf Creek Golf and Country Club. Dicky is survived by his wife, Rebecca Chapin Sowers; a daughter, Ivy Elizabeth Sowers of Winston-Salem, N.C; a son, Ward Sterling Sowers of Bluefield; a sister, Susan Johnson and husband, Marquis of Bluefield, Va; a brother, Walter L. "Bucky" Sowers and wife, Louisa of Bluefield, Va., and several nieces and nephews. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Rick Saunders, John Lazenby, Bob Saunders, Sammy Lewis, Will Smith, Jay Mullen, Jim Layton, Larry Douglas and Doug Jones. on November 17, 2005.⁴