1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Susanna; taken on 16 Apr 1930; Page 99A;
Image 26 of 29; Family #212/214.
Listed as Chester Ray; age 14; born in VA; in household of father, Joel F. Ray.
2. Tazewell Co, VA: Marriage License #7892; Ancestry.com Website.
Chester Ray; age 23; born in Russell Co, VA; single; miner; living at War, WV; son of Joe (sic, Joel)
and Pearl (Honaker) Ray; married on 11 Mar 1939 in Tazewell, VA; Opal Rutherford; age 20; born
in Coalwood, WV; single;living in War, WV; daughter of Shirden and Ervie (Disney) Rutherford.
3. Email from Maggie; 5 Mar 2013.
"MY AUNT OPAL JEAN MARRIED CHESTER RAYE FROM WARRIORMINES.SHE WAS MY
FATHER'S SISTER , I AM THE DAUGHTER OF WALTER S RUTHERFORD. SHE DIED
RECENTLY IN A TAZWELL VA NURSING HOME. MOST OF HER FAMILY HAVE ALL DIED.
ONNIE I DON'T KNOW ABOUT. I REMEMBER MY MOTHER SAYING MY G-MOTHER HAD 3
BABIES TO DIE.WHY IS MY FAMILY BURIED IN TAZWELL, I DON'T KNOW . THERE
WAS A GRAVE YARD ONCE ON COALWOOD MT . I THINK THE BABY WAS THERE AT
ONE TIME. MY FATHER GOT VERY UPSET ABOUT THE ROAD BEING CHANGED AND THE
GRAVES BEING MOVED.I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE 1930 CENUS..."
4. US Public Records Index, Vol 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Chester L. Ray; born 2 Aug 1916; living at PO Box 205, Yukon, WV 24892 in 1985.
5. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Joel Fields and Pearl Honaker
Ray, Miner"; Article; Page 227; submitted by Zola Boyd, War, WV 24802.
"Joel and Pearl had twelve children: 1) Chester married Opal and they had children --- Loretta,
Jeanie, Sue, Patty, Joyce, and Joel...
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Coalwood; taken on 12 Jan 1920; Page 8A;
Image 14 of 39; Family #111/113.
Listed as Opal J. Rutherford; age 9 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Sheridan R.
Rutherford.
2. Email from Maggie; 5 Mar 2013.
"MY AUNT OPAL JEAN MARRIED CHESTER RAYE FROM WARRIORMINES.SHE WAS MY
FATHER'S SISTER , I AM THE DAUGHTER OF WALTER S RUTHERFORD. SHE DIED
RECENTLY IN A TAZWELL VA NURSING HOME. MOST OF HER FAMILY HAVE ALL DIED.
ONNIE I DON'T KNOW ABOUT. I REMEMBER MY MOTHER SAYING MY G-MOTHER HAD 3
BABIES TO DIE.WHY IS MY FAMILY BURIED IN TAZWELL, I DON'T KNOW . THERE
WAS A GRAVE YARD ONCE ON COALWOOD MT . I THINK THE BABY WAS THERE AT
ONE TIME. MY FATHER GOT VERY UPSET ABOUT THE ROAD BEING CHANGED AND THE
GRAVES BEING MOVED.I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE 1930 CENUS..."
3. Tazewell Co, VA: Marriage License #7892; Ancestry.com Website.
Chester Ray; age 23; born in Russell Co, VA; single; miner; living at War, WV; son of Joe (sic, Joel)
and Pearl (Honaker) Ray; married on 11 Mar 1939 in Tazewell, VA; Opal Rutherford; age 20; born
in Coalwood, WV; single;living in War, WV; daughter of Shirden and Ervie (Disney) Rutherford.
4. US Public Records Index, Vol 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Opal J. Ray; born ________; living at PO Box 205, Yukon, WV 24892 in 1985.
5. Bluefield Daily Telegraph"; Bluefield, WV; 25 Sep 2010; Newspaper Obit.
"TAZEWELL, Va. — Opal Jean Ray, age 91 of Tazewell, VA, formerly of Yukon, WV died Thursday, September 23, 2010 at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell, Va."Born April 22, 1919 in Coalwood, WV, she was a daughter of the late Sheridan and Ervie Magdalene Disney Rutherford. She was a charter member of the War Church of God. The church was dear to her heart, she enjoyed going to church and helping with church fund raising.
"Mrs. Ray was a homemaker, collected dolls, quilted, and enjoyed cooking and canning. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Lee Ray; two daughters, Wanda (Sue) Allen and Joyce Christine Williams; one grandson, Bill Mullins; four sisters, Lynnis, Luverna, Laura, and Omie; four brothers, Walter, Leon, Troy, and Robert.
"Survivors include one son, Joel (Chernie) Ray and wife, Beatrice of Warriormine, WV; three daughters, Loretta Ray Mullins, Shelvia (Jean) Williamson and husband, Charles all of Tazewell, VA, and Patricia (Patty) Harmon and husband, James of Pineville, WV; one brother, Jimmy Rutherford and wife, Katherine of Bethel, OH; fourteen grandchildren, Pam Spicer, Mark Mullins, Donna Robinson, Karla Hamilton, Missy Atkins, Anita Waddell, George Allen, Marsha Allen-Mahone, Tony Allen, Jeff Allen, Tonya Allen, Jimmy Harmon, Ronald Williams, and Joyce Ann Patterson; twenty three great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren.
"Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, September 27, 2010 at the War Church of God in War, WV with the Reverend Norman Gray and the Reverend Spencer Oxford officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. ..."
6. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Joel Fields and Pearl Honaker
Ray, Miner"; Article; Page 227; submitted by Zola Boyd, War, WV 24802.
"Joel and Pearl had twelve children: 1) Chester married Opal and they had children --- Loretta,
Jeanie, Sue, Patty, Joyce, and Joel...
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Joel Fields and Pearl Honaker
Ray, Miner"; Article; Page 227; submitted by Zola Boyd, War, WV 24802.
"Joel and Pearl had twelve children: 1) Chester married Opal and they had children --- Loretta,
Jeanie, Sue, Patty, Joyce, and Joel...
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; War; E.D. 24-12; page 233B; Image 26 of 34;
Household #227.
Listed as Jimmy Ruthford; age 12; born in WV; 5th grade education; attending school; lived
in same place on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Sheridan R. Rutherford.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1947); Page 478; WV Archives Web Site.
Jimmie R. Rutherford; age 19; born at War, WV; single; living at Warriormine, WV; married on 17
May 1947 at War, WV; Georgia L. Pack; age 16; born at War, WV; single; living at Warriormine,
WV; with consent of Ervie Rutherford, mother of Jimmie R. Rutherford; and Sussie Pack, mother
of Georgia L. Pack.
3. OH Marriage Index, 1970-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Jimmie R. Rutherford; age 57; living in Clemont Co, OH; married on 8 Dec 1984 in Clemont Co, OH;
Katherine E. Ward; age 55; living in Clemont Co, OH.
4. US Public Records Index, Vol 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Jimmie R. Rutherford; born 3 Jun 1927; living at 231 N. Ash Street, Bethel, OH 45106 in 1990.
5. US Public Records Index, Vol 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Jimmie R. Rutherford; born 3 Jun 1927; living at 250 Clare Street, Bethel, OH 45106 in 1995.
6. E-mail; 27 May 2013, Midgetpeanut.
"...uncle Troy and Jimmy went to Ohio to work for Ford Motor..."
1. OH Marriage Index, 1970-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Jimmie R. Rutherford; age 57; living in Clemont Co, OH; married on 8 Dec 1984 in Clemont Co, OH;
Katherine E. Ward; age 55; living in Clemont Co, OH.
2. US Public Records Index, Vol 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Katherine E. Rutherford; born 31 jul 1929; living at 231 N. Ash Street, Bethel, OH 45106 in 1985.
3. E. C. Nurre Funeral Homes, Inc.; Bethel, OH; posted Obit.
"Katherine E. Rutherford
Birth: 7/31/1929
Death: 8/7/2011...
"...Katherine E. (nee Dial) Rutherford, loving wife of Jimmie R. Rutherford. Mother of Margie (Bill) Cotter, Sharon (Greg) Sizemore, Connie (Tom) Embley, Wanda (Mike) Cluff, Ron (Becky) Ward and
Alan Ward. Step Mother of Anita (Larry) Goins, Ken Rutherford, Ed (Becky)Rutherford and Tim
(Renae) Rutherford. Katherine, a resident of Bethel died August 7, 2011 at the age of 82 years..."
1. Virginia Marriage, 1785-1940; LDS Web Site.
A. M. Black; age 28; born in Washington Co, VA; single; son of J.A. and S.A. Black; married on
3 Jan 1901 in Washington Co, VA; M.E. Johnson; age 27; born in Surry Co, NC; single; daughter
of C.C. and Sarah Johnson.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by Wamplerg; 12 Jan 2017.
" Alfred McChesney Black
Birth 17 Jan 1872
Death 27 Nov 1918 (aged 46)
Burial
Johnson Cemetery
Russell County, Virginia, USA"Additional Information Posted:
"Alfred Mcchesney Black
Age at Death: 46
Birth Date: 17 Jan 1872
Death Date: 27 Nov 1918
Death Place: Saint Paul, VA
Father: John Black
Mother: Lina Kelsey
Spouse: Martha Johnson"
1. Virginia Marriage, 1785-1940; LDS Web Site.
A. M. Black; age 28; born in Washington Co, VA; single; son of J.A. and S.A. Black; married on
3 Jan 1901 in Washington Co, VA; M.E. Johnson; age 27; born in Surry Co, NC; single; daughter
of C.C. and Sarah Johnson.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by Wamplerg; 12 Jan 2017.
" Martha E. Johnson Black
Birth Apr 1869
Death 8 May 1917 (aged 48)
Burial
Johnson Cemetery
Russell County, Virginia, USA "Additional Information Posted:
"Martha E Black
Age at Death 48
Birth Date 1869
Death Date 8 May 1917
Death Place Wise, VA
Father C C Johnson
Mother Sarah Evans
Spouse Jonas Adams
Spouse Alph Black"Children with Jonah:
Nancy Lula Florence Adams 1886–1954
Joel C B Adams 1888–1970
Benjamin Harrison Adams 1888–1970
Sarah Clara Adams 1891–
Lonna Wesley Adams 1896–1923
Lonno W Adams 1894"Children with Alfred Black
"Ted" Alfred Roosevelt Black 1902–1970
Giddeon Black 1905–1969
Mattie Erma Ruth Black 1907–1972"
1.1920 Census, Grayson Co, VA; Wilson Creek District; Rugly; taken 19 Jan 1920; Page 244A; Image
13 of 36; Family #121/121.
Listed as Theodore R. Walls; age 15; born in VA; single; in household of father, Hughey C. Walls.
2. Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Ted Roosevelt Walls
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Birth Date: 1904
Marriage Date: 19 Nov 1929
Marriage Place: Bristol, Virginia
Father: H.C. Walls
Mother: Mary Spencer
Spouse: Erma Ruth Black
FHL Film Number: 2048488
3. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Theodore Roosevelt Walls
Race: White
Age: 37
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 24 Aug 1904
Birth Place: Grayson, Virginia, USA
Residence Place: Welch, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 16 Feb 1942
Employer: N And W Railway
Weight: 140
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 4
Next of Kin: Erma Black Walls
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Theodore Roosevelt Walls Self (Head)"
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by kenneth bowen; 19 Jul 2010.
"Theodore Roosevelt “Ted” Walls
Birth 1904
Death 1990 (aged 85–86)
Burial
Roselawn Memorial Gardens
Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA "Additional Information Posted:
"Theodore R. Walls, 85,of Welch,died Tuesday at a Welch hospital."Born in Grayson County, Va., he was the son of the late Huey and Phoeby Spencer Walls. He was a retired employee of N&W Railroad with 47 years service and had lived in Welch since 1918. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Black Walls, brothers, james and Chester Walls, a sister, Lilly McGrady and a granddaughter.
"Survivors: sons, Stanley Walls of Welch and Rex Walls of New York; brother, Wimp Walls of Bel Air, Md.; sisters, Mrs Bessie Duvall of Mouth of Wilson, Va., and Mrs. Nelson (Annis) Levering of Elkton, Md.; four grandchildren.
"Committal services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Fran Willians officating and burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
"There will be no visitation.
"Douglas Mortuary in Welch is in charge of arrangements."
"Printed in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph Jan 3, 1990"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate # '72 020357; WV Archives Website.
Mattie Erma Ruth Walls; age 65; born 5 May 1907 in VA; married; wife of Theodore Walls; housewife;
living on Court St, Welch, WV; daughter of Alfred and Mattie (Johnson) Black; died 31 Dec 1972 in
Stevens Clinic, Welch, WV; due to acute cardiac failure with myocardial infarction; buried 2 Jan 1972;
in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, WV; informant, Ted Walls, Welch, WV.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by kenneth bowen; 19 Jul 2010.
" Mattie Erma Ruth Black Walls
Birth 1907
Death 1972 (aged 64–65)
Burial
Roselawn Memorial Gardens
Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA "
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; West End Cemetery, Wytheville, Wythe Co, VA; submitted by
Grace Michele; 6 Dec 2008 grave marker photo added by PGC.
Jimmy Mullins; born 13 May 1932 at Davy, WV; died 12 Aug 1999 in Wytheville, VA; buried here;
double grave marker photo shown with 2nd wife Loretta Ramey Mullins; "IN GODS CARE";
"Joann Wellman was his first wife married December 24, 1954"
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 2 Aug 2014.
Joann Wellman Mullins; born 22 Feb 1938; born 2 Aug 1956; buried here; headstone photo shown;
"MOTHER".
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Coalwood; taken on 12 Jan 1920; Page 8A;
Image 14 of 39; Family #111/113.
Listed as Troy E. Rutherford; age 2 yrs, 8 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Sheridan R.
Rutherford.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1935); Page 84; WV Archives Web Site.
Troy Rutherford; age 20; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at War, WV; son of S.R.
and Mageline; married on 16 Nov 1935 at War, Helen Vance; age 19; born in Tazewell Co, VA;
single; living at War, WV; daughter of Robert and Susie.
3. Ohio Deaths, 1908-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Reverend Troy Edward Rutherford; at 80; born 13 Apr 1917 in WV; married; 9th grade education;
SS #233-14-7335; served in US Army; coal miner; mining machine operator; died 13 Apr 1997 at
his home in Clermont Co, OH
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Tate Township Cemetery, Bethel, Clermont Co, OH; submitted by
Kathy McConnell; 8 Oct 2009.
Troy Edward Rutherford; born 17 Apr 1917; died 13 Apr 1997; Private in US Army in WWII;
buried here. (Double headstone with wife, Geneva Rutherford photo).
5. E-mail; 27 May 2013, Midgetpeanut.
"...uncle Troy and Jimmy went to Ohio to work for Ford Motor..."
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Tate Township Cemetery, Bethel, Clermont Co, OH.
Geneva Rutherford; born 21 Aug 1924; died 11 Jul 1980; buried here. (Double headstone
with husband, Troy Edward Rutherford photo).
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Antioch Baptist Church, Oakland, Laclede Co, MO; submitted by Lady
Nic; 11 Apr 2009.
Charles Melvin Fisher; born 16 Feb 1925; died 22 Mar 1992; buried here. (Double headstone photo
with wife, Catherine Marie Black Fisher)
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken on 4 Apr 1930; Page 18B; Image 10 of 60;
Family #79/80.
Listed as Catherine M. Black; age 4 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Ted Black.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Davy; E.D. 24-36; taken on 18 Apr 1940;
Page 726A; Image 11 of 48; Household #98.
Listed as Catherine Black; age 10; born in WV; 3rd grade education; attending school; lived in
Castlewood, Russell Co, VA on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Alfred R. Black.
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Antioch Baptist Church, Oakland, Laclede Co, MO; submitted by Lady
Nic; 11 Apr 2009.
Catherine Marie Fisher; born 6 Nov 1929; died 14 Mar 1983; buried here. (Double headstone photo
with husband, Charles Melvin Fisher)
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; rural; E.D. 24-33; taken on 29 Apr 1940;
Page 670B; Image 36 of 44; Household #301.
Listed as Felix Burks; age 19; born in WV; 6th grade education; lived in same house on 1 Apr
1935; timber cutter for saw mill; in household of father, John C. Burks.
2. Social Security Death Index; LDS Web Site.
Felix Burks; born 2 Mar 1921; died in Aug 1974; card issued in NC or WV.
1. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Barkers Ridge District, taken on 13 May 1910,
Page 208B, Family #221.
Listed as John C. Burke, age 21, born in WV, in household of step-father, Henry H. Brooks.
2. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1911); Page 385; WV Archives Web Site.
John Columbus Burks; age 26; born and living in McDowell Co, WV; son of Eli and Betty; married
on 9 Jul 1911 at the home of the madam; Eliza Francia Mitchem; age 17; born and living in
Wyoming Co, WV; daughter of Turner and Linda.
3. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; rural; E.D. 24-33; taken on 29 Apr 1940;
Page 670B; Image 36 of 44; Household #301.
Listed as John R. Burks; age 55; born in WV; married; no education; lived in same house on 1 Apr
1935; night watchman for saw mill; head of household.
4. "McDowell Co, WV, Web Site",
www.geocities.com/mcdowellcounty/cemeteries/mitchem-ridgecem.html
Grave listed as #101, "John Columbus Burks died 24 Oct 1668, lived 78 yrs,
7 months and 15 days". Birth date calculated from age at death.
1. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Center District, Family #286.
Listed as Eliza F. Mitchem, age 6, in household of father, Turner Mitchem.
2. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Center District, taken on 4 May 1910, Page 224B, Family #195.
Listed as Eliza F. Mitchem, age 15, born in WV, in household of father, Turner Mitchem.
3. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1911); Page 385; WV Archives Web Site.
John Columbus Burks; age 26; born and living in McDowell Co, WV; son of Eli and Betty; married
on 9 Jul 1911 at the home of the madam; Eliza Francia Mitchem; age 17; born and living in
Wyoming Co, WV; daughter of Turner and Linda.
4. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; rural; E.D. 24-33; taken on 29 Apr 1940;
Page 670B; Image 36 of 44; Household #301.
Listed as Frances Burks; age 47; born in WV; married; 3rd grade education; lived in same house
on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, John C. Burks.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; rural; E.D. 24-33; taken on 29 Apr 1940;
Page 670B; Image 36 of 44; Household #301.
Listed as Roxie Burks; age 8; born in WV; 2nd grade education; attending school; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, John C. Burks.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; rural; E.D. 24-33; taken on 29 Apr 1940;
Page 670B; Image 36 of 44; Household #301.
Listed as Daniel Burks; age 4; born in WV; in household of father, John C. Burks.