Person Page - 6574

     Thomas Eldridge "Tommy" Higgs was born on May 21, 1947 at Roanoke, Virginia.^4,5,6 He married June Lee Harry, daughter of Cecil Gatewood Harry and Georgia Elizabeth Elmore, on September 1, 1973 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5 Thomas Eldridge "Tommy" Higgs died on May 7, 2020 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 72.⁴ He Thomas Eldridge Higgs, to his friends Tommy, 72, from Salem, Virginia, passed away on May 7, 2020, from a broken heart. This wasn't a medical diagnosis but for everyone who knew him, he took the loss of his beloved June's death harder than any of his medical conditions could ever dish out. He was born in Roanoke, lived in Salem, and when he had the chance spent as much time in Navarre, Florida as he could. He was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School, Class of 1966, and after graduation, he joined the U.S Army. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 and returned from Vietnam a decorated soldier earning multiple bronze stars, multiple achievement metals, and the Vietnamese cross of gallantry. Upon the completion of his service, he joined his father as a co-owner of Higgs Welding Inc., a business that lasted for over 25 years in the Roanoke Valley. He later became an avid artist, working metal and copper to create amazing sculptures that are featured both in Virginia and Florida. Tommy was active in the community, doing volunteer welding work for the city when it was needed, a member of the Penguin club for over 35 years, and part of the Masonic Lodge here in Salem for over 40 years. Tommy was preceded in death by his wonderful wife, June, and his parents, Benton, and Genevieve Higgs. Tommy is survived by his son, Air Force Major (Ret.) Jason Higgs; his brothers, Benton Jr. and Richard; his sisters, Beverly, and Carolyn, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and good friends. In addition to living here in Salem, he also had a wonderful extended family in Navarre, Florida, in which he would have wanted to thank them for all their support, gifts, cards, and flowers. They were an integral part of his efforts in coping with the loss of the woman he loved for over 57 years. Tommy, and his wife June, loved Salem, and their son Jason has worked hard to make a legacy for them that will last for multiple generations. Services will be held graveside at Sherwood cemetery. on June 8, 2022.⁴

     Marsha Moore Simpson was buried at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Road, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina.^1,2 She was born on August 10, 1954 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina.^1,2,3 As of November 10, 1979,her married name was Harry.⁴ She married Roger Gatewood Harry Sr., son of Cecil Gatewood Harry and Georgia Elizabeth Elmore, on November 10, 1979 at Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina.⁴ Marsha Moore Simpson and Roger Gatewood Harry Sr. were divorced on August 27, 1984 at Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina.⁵ Marsha Moore Simpson died on December 22, 1995 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina, at age 41.^1,2 She Ms. Marsha Simpson Harry, 41, of Charlotte, died Friday, Dec 22, 1995, at her residence. Committal will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. Ms Harry was born August 10, 1954, in Charlotte, the daughter of Ernest B. “Bill" Simpson and Jacqueline Aiken. She was a 1972 graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and worked as a Radiologist manager at Miller Orthopedic for 12 years. Ms. Harry was a member of East Baptist Church where she was a member of the adult choir, assistant director of the childrens choir, taught 5th and 6th grade Sunday school classes, and was also very active in the singles group. Ms. Harry was a very active sky diver in Prism, in Charlotte, with over 80 jumps. Ms. Harry is survived by her beloved son, Roger Harry of Charlotte; stepdaughter, Heather Harry of Roanoke, VA; loving parents, Jackie and Bill Simpson of Charlotte; five sisters, Brenda and Mike Smith and their daughter Sarah, of Sylva, NC, Jennifer and Steve Parker and their children, Ginger and Bryan of Roanoke, VA, Barbara and Tim Caldwell and their children, Timmy and Joey, of Charlotte, Sylvia LaBarge and her children Steve, John, and Sharon of La Crescent, MN; and brother, Roger and Frances Simpson and their children, Mike and Donna Lynn of Sylvester, GA; and many aunts, uncles and other relatives. on December 24, 1995.²

     Norma Jewel Elgin was born on March 15, 1930 at Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa.² As of February 1, 1952,her married name was Elmore.¹ She married Tommy Lee Elmore, son of George Allen Elmore and Cannie Elizabeth Palmer, on February 1, 1952 at Marin Co., California.¹

     Grover Cleveland Elmore Jr. was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,9,4 He was born on August 7, 1927 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,9,3,4 He married Willie Josephine Whited on January 6, 1951 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ Grover Cleveland Elmore Jr. died on March 23, 1963 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 35.^2,9,4,5 He Grover Cleveland Elmore Jr., 35, of the Old Bluefield-Princeton Road, was fatally shot yesterday at 2 p.m. at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Elmore, Old Bluefield-Princeton Road. Police ruled the fatal wound was self inflicted. Elmore, a nine-year veteran with the U.S. Air Force, died of a pistol wound in the mouth. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. In addition to the parents, the victim is survived by his wife, Willie Whitted Elmore; a daughter; Pamela Elmore of the home; four brothers, Clyde, Thurman, and Howard Elmore of Princeton, and Bob Elmore of Oakvale; threesisters, Irene Sanders and Katherine Neeley of Princeton, and Helen Belcher of Jackson, Ohio. on March 24, 1963.

     Willie Josephine Whited was born on January 24, 1932 at Amonate, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of January 6, 1951,her married name was Elmore.¹ She married Grover Cleveland Elmore Jr., son of Grover Cleveland Elmore and Ethel K. Manning, on January 6, 1951 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 234-96-3514.⁵ Ethel K. Manning was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 She was born on September 12, 1887 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,5,4 As of February 8, 1909,her married name was Elmore.¹ She married Grover Cleveland Elmore, son of Fleming Wade Elmore and Phoebe F. Taylor, on February 8, 1909 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,6,3 Ethel K. Manning died on October 28, 1972 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 85.^3,4 She Mrs. Ethel Manning Elmore, 85, of the Old Bluefield-Princeton Road, died Saturday in a Princeton hospital after a long illness. She was a charter member of the Mt. Horeb Methodist Church and was a lifelong resident of Mercer County. She was a daughter of the late W. R. and Minnie Crawford Manning. Her husband, Grover C. Elmore, preceded her in death in 1967. One son, Grover C. Elmore Jr., preceded her in death in 1963. Survivors include four sons, B. T., Clyde (Pat) Howard and Robert Elmore of Princeton; three daughters, Mrs. O H. (Irene) Sanders and Mrs. James (Catherine) Neely of Princeton; and Mrs. Clarence (Helen) Belcher of Elyria, Ohio; two brothers, Athur Manning of Glen White and Bryant Manning of Princeton; one sister, Mrs. Edith York of St. Louis, Mo; 36 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. on October 29, 1972.³

     His Social Security Number was 234-40-6065.⁹ Clyde Clifford Elmore was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁸ He was born on January 27, 1911 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,9,8 He married Pauline Elizabeth Wade on May 12, 1934 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,8,10 Clyde Clifford Elmore died on April 8, 1986 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 75.^9,8 He Clyde C. Elmore, 75, of 1002 Park Ave., Princeton, was dead on arrival Tuesday at a Princeton hospital apparently of a heart attack. Born Jan. 27, 1911, at Princeton, he was the son of the late Grover C. and Ethel Manning Elmore. Mr. Elmore was a retired Mercer County sheriff’s deputy and a retired employee of the Dean Company in Princeton, a member of the First United Methodist Church at Princeton, served as secretary-treasurer of the Men's Bible Class. He was preceded in death by one son, Gayle Elmore in 1977. Survivors include his wife, Pauline Wade Elmore; one son, Ernie Elmore of Bluefield; one daughter, Mrs. S R. (Jean) Martin of Essex, Iowa; three sisters, Irene Sanders and Catherine Neely, both of Priceton, and Helen Belcher of Elyria, Ohio; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be in the Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Princton. on April 10, 1986.⁸

     Her Social Security Number was 232-64-8469.⁸ Margaret Irene Elmore was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Lashmeet, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,9 She was born on August 15, 1912 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,9,8 As of March 28, 1934,her married name was Sanders.¹ She married Oke Homer Sanders on March 28, 1934 at Matoaka, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,6,1,2,10 Margaret Irene Elmore died on March 20, 2008 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 95.^2,9,8 She ROANOKE, Va. — Margaret Irene Sanders, 95, of Roanoke, Va., formerly of Princeton, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2008. Born August 15, 1912 at Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Grover Elmore and Ethel Manning Elmore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oke H. Sanders; one son, Buford T. (Buddy) Sanders; five brothers; and one sister. Survivors include one son, Douglas R. (Buck) Sanders and his wife Gay of Bowling Green, Va; four daughters, Margaret Kaye Heltsley of Manassas, Va., Ruth Ann Galate and her husband Charles of Poulan, Ga., Mary Lou Gates and her husband Bobby of Palm Coast, Fla. and Sue T. Allen and her husband Donald of Roanoke, Va. with whom she made her home for the past six years; one sister, Helen Belcher and her husband Clarence of Elyria, Ohio; 19 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; and lots of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at Lashmeet. on March 23, 2008.²

     Mary Catherine Elmore was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^9,6 Her Social Security Number was 233-86-6903.⁴ She was born on July 21, 1914 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,9,6 As of June 25, 1938,her married name was Neely.⁵ She married James Wesley Neely on June 25, 1938 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,7,5,10,6 Mary Catherine Elmore died on March 1, 1999 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^4,9,11,6 She Mary Catherine Elmore Neely, 84, of 313 Union Drive, Princeton, died Monday, March 1, 1999, in a Princeton hospital. Born on Greasy Ridge in Princeton, July 21, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Grover C. and Ethel Manning Elmore. She was of the Methodist faith and was a loving mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Neely; one daughter, Phyllis K. Bailey; two infant sons, Roger and Richard Neely; and five brothers, Buford, Clyde, Robert, Howard and Grover Elmore. Survivors include three daughters, Linda Wagner, Sharon Stroup and husband Jerry and Ann Blevins and husband Robert, all of Princeton; special granddaughter, Cathy Bailey of Princeton; four sons, Ronald Neely and wife Lynn of Memphis, Tenn., James E. Neely and wife Rene and Ray Neely and wife Marlene, all of Princeton, and Charles W. Neely of Lakeland, Fla; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Irene Sanders of Princeton and Helen Belcher and husband Clarence of Elyria, Ohio. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton. on March 3, 1999.⁶

     His Social Security Number was 236-22-1906.² Howard Eugene Elmore was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ He was born on May 28, 1921 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3,9,4 He married Flora Madeline Whited on December 10, 1945 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^10,11,4,5 Howard Eugene Elmore died on December 7, 1978 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 57.^2,4 He Howard "Hickory" Eugene Elmore, 57, of the old Bluefield-Prtnceton road, Princeton, died Thursday at a Princeton hospital following an apparent heart attack. He was a heavy equipment master mechanic and a member of Johnsons Chapel Baptist Church on Hall's Ridge. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and a veteran of World War II, who served overseas with the U.S. Army He was a lifelong resident of Mercer County. He was born in Princeton May 28, 1921, the son the late Grover Cleveland and Ethyl Manning Elmore, Sr. Survivors include his wife, Flora Whitted Elmore; three daughters, Mrs. Robert D. (Thursa Gaye) Johnston of Smithville, Mrs. Bobby (Patty) Shreve of Conrose, Texas, and Mrs. Butch (Queenie) Caldwell of Princeton; one son, Steve Lee Elmore of Princeton; three sisters, Mrs. Irene Sanders, Mrs. Katherine Neely, both of Princeton, and Mrs. Helen Belcher of Marietta, Ohio; two brothers, Clyde (Pat) Elmore of Princeton and Robert Elmore of Oakvale; and eight grandchildren. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Kemper Powell, Ernie Wilson, Tony Oney, Andrew Parsons, Willard Martin and Richard Martin. on December 8, 1978.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 234-32-5875.¹⁰ Robert Jackson Elmore was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁹ He was born on February 11, 1923 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,4,10 He married Arminta Louise Belcher on August 16, 1947 at Oakvale, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,9,3 Robert Jackson Elmore died on May 17, 1980 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 57.⁹ He Robert J. (Bob) Elmore, 57, of Rt. 4, Princeton, was dead on arrival at a Princeton hospital Saturday after an apparent heart attack. He was a son of the late Grover and Ethel Elmore of Princeton. He was a retired employee of the Norfolk & Western Railway, a member of the Oakvale Fire Department’s Board of Directors, and a member of the Oakvale Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board and as Sunday School superintendent. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Louise Belcher Elmore; two daughters, Mrs. Connie Sue Lewis of Shady Springs and Mrs. Barbara Bird of Bland, Va; two sons, Donald Elmore of Princeton and Sam Elmore of the home; three sisters, Mrs. Irene Sanders and Mrs. Catherine Neely, both of Princeton and Mrs. Helen Belcher of Elyria, Ohio; one brohter, Clyde (Pat) Elmore of Princeton; and two grandchildren. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens on Bluefield-Princeton Road. on May 18, 1980.⁹

     Oke Homer Sanders was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Lashmeet, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,6 He was born on December 7, 1906 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,7 He married Margaret Irene Elmore, daughter of Grover Cleveland Elmore and Ethel K. Manning, on March 28, 1934 at Matoaka, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3,4,6 Oke Homer Sanders died on February 25, 1983 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 76.^5,6 He Oke H. Sanders, 76, of the Clemson Mobile Park, Princeton, died Friday in a Princeton hospital after a long illness. Born in Mercer County, he was a son of the late Riley P. and Pearl Steadham Sanders. He was a retired coal miner, a member of UMWA District 29, Local 6039. He was a former employee of the West Virginia Department of Highways. He was a Master Mason and a member of the Princeton Masonic Lodge No. 134. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Buford “Buddy” Sanders, in 1968. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Irene Elmore Sanders; one son, Douglas R. Sanders of Alexandria, Va; four daughters, Mrs. Bobby (Kaye) Heltsley of Manassas, Va., Mrs. Charles (Ruth Ann) Galate of Poulan, Ga., Mrs. Bobby (Mary Lou) Gates of Lorton, Va., and Mrs. Donald (Okey Sue) Allen of Bluefield; six brothers, Marshall T. Sanders of the Beckley Road, Princeton, John B. Sanders of Orlando, Fla., Bower B. Sanders and Wallace J. Sanders, both of Lashmeet, Robey K. Sanders and Blake R. Sanders, both of Suitland, Md; four sisters, Mrs. Vessie (Zola) Walker of Pinoak, Mrs. Thelma V. Thomas of Horsepen, Va., Mrs. Cecil (Alma) Hall of Princeton and Mrs. John (Norma) Kingrea of Suitland; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Lashmeet. on February 27, 1983.⁶

     James Wesley Neely was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,5 He was born on August 7, 1915 at Ghent, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4 He married Mary Catherine Elmore, daughter of Grover Cleveland Elmore and Ethel K. Manning, on June 25, 1938 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,6,2,5,7 James Wesley Neely died on August 10, 1990 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 75.^3,5 He James Wesley Neely, 75, of 102 College Ave., Princeton, died Friday at a Princeton hospital. Born in Ghent, he was a son of the late Albert and Roxanna Snead Neely. He was a retired employee with the West Virginia Department of Highways. He was of the Baptist faith and resided in Princeton the past 60 years. He was preceded in death by two sons, Ricky Neely and Roger Neely. Survivors: wife, Mary Elmore Neely; sons, Ronald T. Neely of Memphis, Tenn., Charles W. Neely of Winterhaven, Fla., and James E. Neely and Harold “Roy” Neely, both of Princeton; daughters, Mrs. Henry (Phyllis) Bailey and Mrs. Paul (Linda) Wagner and Mrs. Jerry (Sharon) Stroupe and Mrs. Robert (Ann) Blevins, all of Princeton; brother, Homer Neely of Baltimore, Md; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Garden in Princeton. on August 12, 1990.⁵

     Clarence Alvia Belcher was buried at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 3700 Center Road, Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio.^6,7 He Clarence A. Belcher, 86, of Elyria, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012 after a lengthy illness. He was born June 3, 1925 in Princeton, West Virginia to the late Otis Jesse and Beulah Mae Belcher. He served as a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army signal corps, during WWII, stationed in Germany and also served during the Korean Conflict. He provided 26 years of service as an installer to Alltel Phone Company, retiring in 1990. Clarence was a member of Community United Methodist Church in Elyria, enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and was a skilled craftsman and gardener. Clarence is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen E. (nee Elmore); sons David (Georgia), Clarence Alvia Jr. (Irene), Kenneth (Doren) and Phillip Belcher; daughter Carolyn Hicks and son-in-law, Bob Cropp, all of Elyria; 11 grandchildren; 1 step grandchild; 9 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren and a sister Glenna Brown of Oakvale, West Virginia. In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by a daughter Cathy Cropp; sister Louise Elmore; brother Eugene Belcher and a son-in-law, Jim Hicks. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon, where Elyria V.F.W. #1079 will conduct military honors.⁶ He was born on June 3, 1925 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,5,8,6 He married Helen E. Elmore, daughter of Grover Cleveland Elmore and Ethel K. Manning, on September 12, 1946 at Oakvale, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,9,3,6 Clarence Alvia Belcher died on May 22, 2012 at Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio, at age 86.^8,6

     Louise Gooch was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,3 She was born on February 16, 1913 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3 As of July 17, 1935,her married name was Elmore.¹ She married Buford Thurman Elmore, son of Grover Cleveland Elmore and Ethel K. Manning, on July 17, 1935 at Oakvale, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 Louise Gooch died on March 8, 1972 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 59.^2,3 She Mrs. Louise Elmore, 59, of 205 Wickham Avenue, Princeton, died in her home Wednesday following an apparent heart attack. Born in Princeton, she was a daughter of the late Hugh and Laura Turner Gooch. Survivors include her husband, B. P. Elmore; one daughter, Mrs. Ira (Juanita Margaret) Collins of Princeton; four sons, Willis Elmore of Fairfax, Va., Paul Elmore of Springfield, Va., Stanley Elmore of Woodbridge, Va., and Bobby Elmore of Washington, D.C; one sister, Mrs. G. A. (Ruth) Stowers of Wilmington, Del; and four brothers, Hugh Gooch Jr. and P. C. Gooch of Princeton, and Irvin and Fred Gooch of Charleston. on March 9, 1972.²