Person Page - 7100

     Lonzie Alford Curry was buried at Cross Creek Cemetery #4, Gale Street, Fayetteville, Cumberland Co., North Carolina.^1,2 His Social Security Number was 232-12-0874.² He was born on August 8, 1921 at Henry Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Inez Evie Underwood, daughter of Johnathan Wiley "John" Underwood and Eliza Jane Kelley, on December 23, 1939 at Martinsville, Virginia.^4,3 Lonzie Alford Curry died on January 1, 1978 at Fayetteville, Cumberland Co., North Carolina, at age 56.^1,2

     King Edward Hopkins was buried at Pleasant Grove Christian Church Cemetery, 5285 Preston Road, Pleasant Grove, Henry Co., Virginia.^1,3 He was born on September 27, 1910 at Patrick Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Inez Evie Underwood, daughter of Johnathan Wiley "John" Underwood and Eliza Jane Kelley, on July 26, 1930 at Henry Co., Virginia.^2,3 King Edward Hopkins died on September 4, 1939 at Bassett, Virginia, at age 28.^1,3 He Ed Purdy, about 21, of near Dillon’s Forks, was lodged in Henry county jail early today, charged with the murder last night of King Hopkins, 30, a storekeeper at Dillon’s Forks. Hopkins was killed by a shotgun charge fired at close range which tore through the middle of his chest. Purdy and Hopkins were brought in to jail Sunday on charges of drunkenness, for which they were fined in trial justice court yesterday. Hopkins paying both fines. On their return home, Purdy is said to have resumed drinking, and late yesterday afternoon the men fell into an argument. Hopkins demanded that Purdy leave the store, and in an exchange of blows that ensued, knocked Purdy down and drove him away at the point of a gun. According to Sheriff J. M. Davis, Purdy returned shortly before 9 o’clock with a shotgun, and waited behind the store until Hopkins came out. After the shooting, Hopkins’ wife told Sheriff Davis, Purdy came in and told her he was sorry, but he had to kill her husband. County Officer Alfred Stegall, Buck Williams and Constable Bud Wilkerson, after searching the neighborhood, found Purdy at Charlie Turner’s house, north of Hopkins’ store. Coroner Dr. H. G. Hammond went with Sheriff Davis to hold the inquest, returning a certificate that Hopkins met death at the hands of Purdy. The accused probably will be given a preliminary hearing Friday in trial justice court. Hopkins was shot through the chest, dying almost instantly, the coroner said. on September 5, 1939.⁴ He Ed Purdy, a Martinsville furniture worker, this morning was found guilty by a Circuit court jury of first degree murder for the ambush killing of King Hopkins at the latter’s store at Dillon’s Fork, west of Fieldale, on September 4. Punishment, 30 years in the penitentiary, fixed by the jury, was pronounced immediately by Judge J. T. Clement in sentencing the accused. W. L. Joyce, attorney for the defense, accepted the verdict without motion. Commonwealth’s Attorney, W. R. Broaddus, Jr. in addressing the state’s closing argument to the jury declared if there ever had been a case requiring a first degree verdict it was this one. He outlined the testimony showing that Purdy had planned each movement he took during the late afternoon and evening of the shooting and that his plan culminated in Hopkins’ death. If the jury wished any value to be set on human life henceforth in Henry county, Mr. Broaddus told the county, this should require the extreme penalty. Mr. Joyce had argued eloquently in support of his plea for a verdict of second degree murder for which he offered a plea of temporary mental incapacity resulting from extreme intoxication. After Coroner Dr. H. G. Hammond had testified King Hopkins was killed by a shotgun charge which entered the top of his breast bone and broke the neck, a procession of witnesses called by the Commonwealth built up a story of events leading up to the tragedy. These were in order of hearing, John Oakley, Charlje Smith, Harry Smith, Carsen Nelson, Ernest Nelson, C. S. “Buck” Williams, and Alfred Stegall, county officers, and Oscar Nelson. Taken together their testimony opened with an account of successive arguments engaged in with Ed Purdy as a party at King Hopkins’ store on Monday afternoon September 4 after Hopkins and Purdy had returned from Martinsville where they had been fined for drunken disorders the previous day, when Garfield Hopkins, King’s father, had called officers to the scene. Witnesses agreed that as Purdy continued to argue and curse, he was reprimanded by Hopkins and asked to leave the store, after which Hopkins produced a shotgun and ordered Purdy to go home. When Purdy refused to leave, witnesses declared Hopkins knocked him down and beat him until he asked to be let up. Shortly after that Purdy left the store in John Oakley’s automobile, with Oakley and Oscar Nelson. Both Oakley und Nelson testified they took Purdy to his father’s house, arriving about dark. At Ed Purdy’s insistence they said, they went into the house. Young Purdy rummaged about in a bureau drawer, and when asked by his father what he wanted, replied he was looking for a handkerchief. Informed by his father that there were no handkerchiefs in the drawer, witnesses said young Purdy called his brother Clem out of bed and they went out on the porch for a time. The defendant was said to have taken a shotgun off its rack and to have left the house for a few moments, returning without it. Leaving the Purdy home, Oakley and Nelson said Ed Purdy asked them to stop by an orchard near the house, and here he got the gun, found leaping against a tree. They stopped first, the witnesses related, at Harry Smith’s store at Pleasant Grove church. Harry Smith said Purdy called him out of bed to open the store and sell a quarter’s worth of 12 gauge shotgun shells, explaining he was planning to go squirrel hunting in the morning early. The storekeeper said Purdy did not appear to be drinking. Oakley and Nelson said that on leaving Smith’s store, Purdy asked to be driven down the road, indicating the direction of Hopkins’ store, but after a few hundred yards, about midway between the stores, he asked to be let out at a side road. There, both witnesses testified, Purdy told them not to go back to Hopkins’ store that night. Oakley’s memory stopped there, but Nelson recalled Purdy having added then that “either King Hopkins is going to get me or I'm going to get him if it takes ’til 8 o’clock in the morning.” Carson Nelson testified he was in Hopkins’ store at the time the shooting occurred. Others there were Mrs. Hopkins and their children. Nelson said he wag drinking a soft drink when a shot was heard. A few minutes later, he said Purdy came into the store with the gun in his hand, asked for a coca cola and told him “I killed King Hopkins.” He said Purdy asked where Mrs. Hopkins was/ Ernest Nelson, who left the store just before the shot was fired, said he saw King Hopkins go to the front of the store, probably on his way into the back yard at which time the witness said, he saw no weapon in his hand. County Officer Williams told of having arrested Purdy. Williams said he and Officer Stegall arrived about 10 o’clock at the scene of the shooting and after a brief investigation left in search of Purdy. He was found shortly after 2 a.m. at the home of Charlie Turner, several miles from the store. Upon being awakened, Mr. Williams said, Purdy made no attempt to deny that he had shot Hopkins, admitting the fact freely, and producing an empty shell from his pocket with the assertion: "That’s the shell I killed him with.” The witness said Purdy had declared he and Hopkins had been in a fight in which he had whipped the storekeeper, and that Hopkins had threatened to kill him. Knowing he would keep his word on that threat, Purdy was quoted as having said, he knew he had to kill Hopkins. Mr. Stegall testified to substantially the same account of the officers’ investigation as given by Mr. Williams. They agreed in quoting Purdy’s story of what had happened since he was put out of the Oakley car. He was said to have told of approaching the store from a side road in the rear, and to have met Hopkins coming out of a side door. The officers said Purdy told them cooly that he had first considered taking his gun barrel and bashing out Hopkins brains, but then decided to shoot him. As he was shot, Mr. Stegall quoted Purdy as having said that Hopkins “looked kind of funny” spinning around a couple of times before he fell, then heaving one big breath just as he died. The officers said that after leaving the store, the defendant had said he decided first to “get” Garfield Hopkins too, but later decided to go to Charlie Turner’s and go to bed. This morning the defense introduced a string of witnesses in an effort to establish Purdy’s insane drunkenness at the time of shooting. Jim Purdy, a brother of the accused, said Ed had not drunk any liquor for two years, and had quit drinking beer about six months ago following some trouble in which he and King Hopkins landed in jail. Clem Purdy, Pink Cox, Raymond Nelson and Marshall Sharp all said they had been with the accused for various intervals on Monday and that he seemed to become increasingly drunk as time went on. Ed Purdy, on the stand in his own defense, said he had quit drinking because he and King Hopkins always had ended up in trouble for drinking. He confirmed what the defense witnesses had said about the drinking of innumerable bottles of beer, some bottled in bond whisky and moonshine liquor, and appeared to recall dimly the sequence of events following the fight at the store that afternoon. On Cross examination however, he gradually recalled essential items at almost all stages of developments, under pressure of the prosecution. Mrs. King Hopkins testified her husband was not drunk on Monday; that, instead of a “dozen or' more bottles of beer” drunk by her husband and Purdy at the store, there had been only six in the store, and three of them were there the next day. She said King Hopkins did not leave by the side door at any time that evening as Purdy claimed, but had left by the front door as he went out to his death. on October 6, 1939.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 226-34-9598.¹ Melvin Edward Hopkins was buried at Pleasant Grove Christian Church Cemetery, 5285 Preston Road, Pleasant Grove, Henry Co., Virginia.⁴ He married Alice Unknown.⁴ Melvin Edward Hopkins was born on April 27, 1931 at Henry Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 He married Betty Ruth Jane Baldwin on July 23, 1959 at Lebanon, Russell Co., Virginia.² Melvin Edward Hopkins and Betty Ruth Jane Baldwin were divorced before June, 1961.² Melvin Edward Hopkins died on April 2, 1999 at Martinsville, Virginia, at age 67.⁶ He Melvin Edward Hopkins, 67, of 122 Moores Farm Road, Martinsville, died Friday, April 2, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He was a native of Henry County, born April 27, 1931, a son of the late King Edward Hopkins and the late Inez Underwood Hopkins. He retired from Joyce Oil Co. in Spencer. Surviving are his wife, Alice Hopkins, and daughter, Judith H. Borders of Mocksville, N.C. and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Pleasant Grove Christian Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. on April 4, 1999.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 231-38-4273.¹ Ralph Fred Hopkins was born on August 13, 1934 at Bassett, Virginia.^1,2 He died on November 18, 2006 at Florida at age 72.^1,4

     Betty Ruth Jane Baldwin As the morning dawned on Tuesday, September 4, the call was given and an angel was dispatched to Road Ridge in Raven, Virginia to escort Betty Jane Miller home. In the very home she was born into on August 19, 1937 and drew her first breath of life, there she drew her last breath while surrounded by her loving family. Awaiting her at the gates of heaven was her loving husband, Jack and her son Russell, and together they escorted her into Heaven to reunite with all her friends and family. What a joy to see those who had gone on before her, her parents, Jonas and Laura Cordle Baldwin, her brothers, Robert, Elbert and Lee Baldwin along with her sisters, Dora Belle and Ora Nelle Baldwin. As God looked over her life, he reviewed her great attributes, what a loving wife she had been, a loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and a true friend to many. She had dedicated her life to being a caregiver to others, always being there in their time of need. Her devotion to her family and church were truly amazing. She loved to volunteer her time to the church and felt like everyone there was her family. She never met a stranger; her heart was an open spring that bubbled of joy and love from within and trickled over to all who came in contact with her. hose who remain here to carry on her loving spirit are her daughters; Alice Crigger and husband Claude of Keen Mtn., VA, Jackie Thompson and husband Chuck of Road Ridge, VA; brothers, Lindy Baldwin of Richlands, VA, Don and Wife Patsy Baldwin of Baptist Valley, VA, Andrew Baldwin of Ashville, NC; step-daughter, Becky Harris and husband Jeff of Marion, VA; special sister-in-law, Liz Baldwin Gibson of Richlands, VA; Grandchildren, Jacob Miller and wife Ashley, Cala Crigger Slone, Joshua Crigger, Alisha Sisk and husband, JD, Kristin Smith, Hunter Miller, Ryan Thompson and Jarius Miller; great-grandchildren, Elora Belle Sisk and Gabriel Jack Sisk. Interment will follow at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia.² She was buried at Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^2,4 She was born on August 19, 1937 at Raven, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of July 23, 1959,her married name was Hopkins.¹ She married Melvin Edward Hopkins, son of King Edward Hopkins and Inez Evie Underwood, on July 23, 1959 at Lebanon, Russell Co., Virginia.¹ Betty Ruth Jane Baldwin and Melvin Edward Hopkins were divorced before June, 1961.¹ Betty Ruth Jane Baldwin died on September 4, 2012 at Raven, Tazewell Co., Virginia, at age 75.^2,5

     Atrice Nannie Cannaday was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Henrico Co., Virginia.^4,1 Her Social Security Number was 227-12-3178.⁵ Her married name was Underwood.¹ She married Fred Oman Underwood, son of Johnathan Wiley "John" Underwood and Eliza Jane Kelley.^1,3 Atrice Nannie Cannaday was born on April 7, 1915 at Smith River, Patrick Co., Virginia.^1,2,5 She died on July 7, 1982 at Richmond, Virginia, at age 67.^1,3 She Mrs. Atrice Cannaday Underwood, 67, of Richmond, died Wednesday in a Richmond hospital. Born in Patrick County, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Cannaday. Her husband was the late Fred Underwood. She had lived in Richmond about 35 years. Surviving are two sons, Coy Underwood of Richmond and Bobby Underwood of California; one grandson; six brothers, Odell Cannaday and Buford Cannaday of Stuart, Timothy and Edgar Cannaday of Bassett, Eugene Cannaday of Fieldale and Gilbert Cannaday of Martinsville; two sisters, Mrs. Ermigene Fulcher of Fieldale and Mrs. Geneva Craddock of Bassett, and several nieces and nephews. on July 9, 1982.³

     Coy Fred Underwood was buried at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 11220 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, Virginia.⁴ He was born on March 14, 1936 at Martinsville, Virginia.^3,4,5 He married Phyllis Leigh Heath on January 17, 1959 at Richmond, Virginia.^3,4,6 Coy Fred Underwood died on November 17, 2016 at Richmond, Virginia, at age 80.^4,6 He UNDERWOOD, Coy F., age 80, of Richmond, Va., died November 17, 2016. Mr. Underwood was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Atrice Underwood. He is survived by Phyliss Heath Underwood, his loving wife of 58 years; son Kenneth Underwood and his wife Donna; grandsons, Camden, Devon and Braden Underwood; and brother, Bobby Underwood and his wife, Kathy. Coy was employed by RBI Corporation in sales for 56 years, where he developed sincere friendships with fellow staff members and customers alike. He also served in the U.S Marine Corps during the 1950s. He loyally coached youth baseball in the Chamberlayne Babe Ruth League for 15 years, and had a love for NASCAR and country music. on November 20, 2016.⁶

     James Richard Weber was buried at Rose Hill Burial Park, 3653 West Market Street, Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.^1,3 He was born on March 22, 1934 at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.^2,3 He married Shelba Jean Kelley, daughter of Cecil Lester Kelley and Dorothy Bethel Shields, on July 6, 1957 at Summit Co., Ohio.^1,2 James Richard Weber died on December 6, 1959 at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, at age 25.^1,4,3 He James R. Weber, 25, of 46 S. Walnut St., died Sunday morning, December 6, from his injuries after being attacked and beaten near S. Main St. Born in Akron, he was the son of Wade C. and the late Lucille (Patton) Weber. Mr. Weber serviced with the U.S. Marine Corp. and worked for Ford Plant in Walnut Hills. He leaves his wife, Shelba Jean (Kelley); a son, Jimmie; his father, Wade C. Weber, of Akron; and sister, Mrs. Delores Lampers of California. His mother preceded him in death. Interment in Rose Hill Burial Park. on December 7, 1959.¹

     James Richard "Jimmie" Weber Jr. was born on June 28, 1958 at Ohio.³ He married Robin L. Varner on July 20, 1985 at Summit Co., Ohio.⁵ James Richard "Jimmie" Weber Jr. and Robin L. Varner were divorced on May 3, 1994 at Summit Co., Ohio.⁶ James Richard "Jimmie" Weber Jr. married Sherri Anne Mace on August 29, 1998 at Summit Co., Ohio.⁵ James Richard "Jimmie" Weber Jr. and Sherri Anne Mace were divorced on August 3, 2004 at Summit Co., Ohio.⁶ James Richard "Jimmie" Weber Jr. died on May 20, 2015 at Ohio at age 56.^2,3 He James R. Weber, 56, passed away suddenly on Wednesday May 20, 2015. James was born in Akron, Ohio to the late James R. and Shelba J. (Kelly) Weber. James was employed at S & A Industries and Imperial Electric. James is survived by children, Jeremy and Brooke; and the mother of his children, Sherri Weber; and sisters, Renee (Lou) McElhaney and Shelia (Greg) Cummings both of New Franklin. on May 31, 2015.²

     His Social Security Number was 271-30-9150.⁴ John Michael Yelling was born on July 23, 1935 at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.^3,4 He married Shelba Jean Kelley, daughter of Cecil Lester Kelley and Dorothy Bethel Shields, on April 5, 1984 at Summit Co., Ohio.¹ John Michael Yelling died on November 27, 2002 at Summit Co., Ohio, at age 67.^2,3,4,5 He John M. Yelling (Bad Boy John), 67, passed away Nov. 27, 2002 after along courageous battle with cancer. At last he is in a place with no pain. John loved racing and boxing. He was a boxer in his younger days, then tried his luck with racing cars. He worked at Goodyear Aerospace and taught school for a while. Then he decided to go into business. He opened "Yelling’s Automotive" and was there for 25 years. He loved people and he loved his cars. John is survived by his beloved wife, Shelba; daughters, Michele (Phil) DeJerome of Cuyahoga Falls, Renee (Lou) McElhaney of Manchester and Shelia (Greg) Cummings of Akron; sons, John (Terry) Yelling of Tallmadge, Tom Yelling of Cuyahoga Falls, Tim (Cindy) Yelling of Lodi, Brian Yelling of Cuyahoga Falls and Jim Weber of Manchester; brother, Frank (Shelvy) Yelling of Clinton and sister, Betty (John) Mendiola of Akron; 17 grandchildren, who he was very proud of; and one little great-granddaughter; also many nieces, nephews and many friends. We would especially like to thank Dr. Petrus and his assistant. They were wonderful. We would also like to thank Hospice for all their care and comfort and Edwin Shaw Hospital. He went in there and couldn’t even hold his head up and left there walking. Many thanks to each and everyone there. on November 29, 2002.²

     Lloyd Bernard Hayden was buried at Northlawn Memorial Gardens, 4724 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio.^4,5 His Social Security Number was 228-44-7090.² He was born on April 15, 1938 at Spotsylvania Co., Virginia.^2,3,6,7 He married Shelba Jean Kelley, daughter of Cecil Lester Kelley and Dorothy Bethel Shields, circa 1964.⁸ Lloyd Bernard Hayden and Shelba Jean Kelley were divorced on May 14, 1975 at Summit Co., Ohio.⁸ Lloyd Bernard Hayden died on August 27, 1984 at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, at age 46.^2,9,6,7,5 He Lloyd B. Hayden, 46, of 1037 Lindsay Ave., passed away August 27. He was born in Spotsylvania, Va., and had lived in Akron 21 years. He was discharged from the Navy in 1963. He was a member of American Legion No. 209. He is survived by wife, Carol L. (Byrd); mother, Mrs. Hossie Atkinson of Fredericksburg, father, Bernard, Charlottesville, Va; daughters, Sheila Hayden of Akron, Anne Marie Moll St. Petersburg, Fla; son, Thomas of Boston, Mass., and Robert of New York state; stepsons, James Weber of Akron, and Tim McaTee of Fredericksburg; stepdaughter, Renee Weber of Akron, Stephanie Fredericksburg; four grandchildren; and brother, Red Hayden of Akron. Military services in charge of American Legion Post No. 209. Interment Northlawn Memorial Gardens. on August 28, 1984.⁵

     Gregory Edward Cummings was born on December 5, 1962 at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.^2,3 He married Sheila Ann Hayden, daughter of Lloyd Bernard Hayden and Shelba Jean Kelley, on October 5, 1991 at Ohio.¹ Gregory Edward Cummings died on January 9, 2020 at Ohio at age 57.² He Gregory Edward Cummings, 57, of New Franklin, Ohio, passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Greg enjoyed taking rides on his Harley and watching all things NASCAR. With his wife, Shelia, he loved hosting their friends for a day of backyard barbeque and swimming in the pool. He enjoyed all things sunny and outdoors. Greg was a loving and genuine husband, father, and friend to many. Greg was born in Akron, Ohio to Bill and Rose (Pivar) Cummings on December 5, 1962. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Rose Cummings; sister, Debbie Cummings; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Weber. He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of 40 years, Shelia Cummings; sons, Brandon (Elyse) Cummings, Brent (Jessi) Cummings; brother, Jeff (Sue) Cummings; sister-in-law, Renee (Lou) McElhaney; and many other loving family and friends. on January 14, 2020.²