1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'57 001852; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Wallace Jenning Chafin, Jr; age 29; born 1 Feb 1928 at Grey Eagle, WV; married; miner; served
in WW II; living at Bishop,Tazewell Co, VA; son of Wallace Jenning and Grace (Lovins) Chafin; died
4 Feb 1957 at Bishop, McDowell Co, WV (Bishop is in Tazewell Co, VA); from burns suffered in mine
explosion; buried 7 Feb 1957 in Roderfield, WV; informant, Lori White Chafin.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
Ruth; 19 Aug 2013; grave marker photo added by B. Walls.
Wallace Jenning Chafin, Jr; born 1 Feb 1926; died 4 Feb 1957; buried here; grave marker photo shown;
"US NAVY WORLD WAR II".
"Wallace Chafin, Jr. was killed in a gas explosion in Bishop Mine on February 4, 1957.“BISHOP, Va., Feb. 4 – (AP) – Thirty-seven miners perished today in a rumbling gas explosion deep in the giant Bishop coal mine that burrows under the mountains of the Virginia-West Virginia line. It was the nation’s worst mine disaster since 119 died in a blast at West Frankfort, Ill., Dec. 21, 1951. There was no immediate official word on what touched off the blast that sent acrid, dust-laden fumes whistling through the mine 337-feet below the surface. A fire-boss had reported the area free of hazard prior to the time the midnight shift went to work. Time of the explosion was set at 1:55 a.m.”(Excerpt from Charleston Gazette, February 5, 1957)
FATALITY LIST
Bishop, VA/WV
February 4, 1957, about 1:55 am
Pocahontas Fuel Company, Mine #34
Left entry of the Pine Ridge Main HeadingRalph Altizer
Harvey Bailey
Walter Carter
Wallace Chafin
Kern Coleman
Frank Collins
Stacy Couch
Lowell Crockett
Kenneth Dillon
Robert Dudley
Paul Farrington
Sam Garsant
Clarence Gravely
Kelly Hicks
Dallas Johnson
Gordon Keene
Jack Kern
Rovie Levito
Clarence McGraw
Sylvie Myers
Earl Nunley
Raymond Owensby
James Parnell
Blaine Rowe
Manuel Sancion
Fred Sefabaugh
Edward Shell
Luther Short
Jesse Ray Smith, Jr.
James Thompson
Jesse Vance
Joseph Varge
Hansel Viers
Edward Watkins.."
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA; submitted by J.G. Ivey;
23 Jun 2009.
Lora Mae "Jo" White Summers; born 29 Jun 1930 in Johnson City, Washington Co, TN; died 24 Apr 2007
in Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA; buried here; grave marker photo shown.
"Lora "Jo" Mae Summers, 76, died Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at her residence.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2007 at Parkhill Cemetery with the Rev. David Lix officiating. Visitation will be held after the funeral services at the cemetery, according to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus.
"Mrs. Summers was born June 28, 1930 in Johnson City, TN., daughter of the late Dolly Brewer White and Carl F. White. She was a homemaker and a Baptist by faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Summers; a sister, Norma Chaffin and brothers, Walter White and Fred Runyon.
"She is survived by daughters, Margaret Kaprelian, Hurst, TX., Lorraine Singletary, Columbus; sons, Glenn Chafin, Columbus and David Chafin, Pine Mountain, GA.; a sister, Faye Scarbrough, Columbus; brothers, James White, Columbus and Carl H. White, Phenix City; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren..."
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA; submitted by J.G. Ivey;
23 Jun 2009.
Lora Mae "Jo" White Summers; born 29 Jun 1930 in Johnson City, Washington Co, TN; died 24 Apr 2007
in Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA; buried here; grave marker photo shown.
"Lora "Jo" Mae Summers, 76, died Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at her residence.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2007 at Parkhill Cemetery with the Rev. David Lix officiating. Visitation will be held after the funeral services at the cemetery, according to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus.
"Mrs. Summers was born June 28, 1930 in Johnson City, TN., daughter of the late Dolly Brewer White and Carl F. White. She was a homemaker and a Baptist by faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Summers; a sister, Norma Chaffin and brothers, Walter White and Fred Runyon.
"She is survived by daughters, Margaret Kaprelian, Hurst, TX., Lorraine Singletary, Columbus; sons, Glenn Chafin, Columbus and David Chafin, Pine Mountain, GA.; a sister, Faye Scarbrough, Columbus; brothers, James White, Columbus and Carl H. White, Phenix City; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren..."
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as William Chambers; age 32; born in VA; married; farmer; head of household.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Arvline Chambers; age 27; born in KY; married; in household of husband, William Chambers.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Sandy District; Iaeger; taken on 11 Apr 1930; Page 172B;
Image 22 of 22; Family #196/235.
Listed as Avuline Chambers; age 37; born in KY; married at 15; no occupation; head of household.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Asa Chambers; age 13; born in VA; in household of father, William Chambers.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Floyd Chambers; age 12; born in VA; in household of father, William Chambers.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Ed Chambers; age 8; born in VA; in household of father, William Chambers.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Elsie Chambers; age 2; born in VA; in household of father, William Chambers.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Sandy District; Iaeger; taken on 11 Apr 1930; Page 172B;
Image 22 of 22; Family #196/235.
Listed as Elsie Chambers; age 12; born in VA; in household of mother, Aveline Estep Chambers.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Canada Chambers; age 2 mons; born in VA; in household of father, William Chambers.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Sandy District; Iaeger; taken on 11 Apr 1930; Page 172B;
Image 22 of 22; Family #196/235.
Listed as Canada Chambers; age 9; born in VA; in household of mother, Aveline Estep Chambers.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Sandy District; Iaeger; taken on 11 Apr 1930; Page 172B;
Image 22 of 22; Family #196/235.
Listed as Chester C. Chambers; age 7; born in VA; in household of mother, Aveline Estep Chambers.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1942); Page 291; WV Archives Web Site.
Chester Chambers; age 18; born in Murphy, VA; single; living at Bradshaw, WV; married on 16 May
1942 at Bradshaw, WV; Jannigee Dutton; age 16; born in Garrett, KY; single; living at Bradshaw, WV;
with consent of William Chambers, father of Chester Chambers; and Eli Dutton, father of Jannigee
Dutton.
3. Social Security Death Index; LDS Web Site.
Chester Chambers; born 4 Jun 1923; died in Aug 1968; last residence WV; card issued in WV.
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by;
B. Walls: 2 Dec 2013.
Chester Chambers; born 4 Jun 1923; died 10 Aug 1968; buried here; grave maker photo shown;
"WEST VRIGINIA PVT 1114 SVC COMD UNIT WORLD WAR II".
1. 1940 Census, Johnson Co, KY; District 6; E.D. 58-12; taken on 22 Apr 1940; Page 307B;
Image 30 of 42; Household #244.
Listed as Jane Gee Dutton; age 13; born in KY; 8th grade education; not attending school; lived in
Wheelwright, Floyd Co, KY on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Elias Dutton.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1942); Page 291; WV Archives Web Site.
Chester Chambers; age 18; born in Murphy, VA; single; living at Bradshaw, WV; married on 16 May
1942 at Bradshaw, WV; Jannigee Dutton; age 16; born in Garrett, KY; single; living at Bradshaw, WV;
with consent of William Chambers, father of Chester Chambers; and Eli Dutton, father of Jannigee
Dutton.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1929); Page 192; WV Archives Web Site.
Edgar Adkins; age 26; born in Wayne Co, WV; single; machinist; living at Iaeger, WV; son of
Chapman and Julia; married on 26 Dec 1929 at Avondale, WV; Edna Chambers; age 19; born
in Buchanan Co, VA; single; daughter of William and Aruine.
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurricane; taken on 4 Mar 1920;
Page 44A; Family #305/306.
Listed as Edna Chambers; age 6; born in VA; in household of father, William Chambers.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1929); Page 192; WV Archives Web Site.
Edgar Adkins; age 26; born in Wayne Co, WV; single; machinist; living at Iaeger, WV; son of
Chapman and Julia; married on 26 Dec 1929 at Avondale, WV; Edna Chambers; age 19; born
in Buchanan Co, VA; single; daughter of William and Aruine.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Filbert; taken on 9 Apr 1930; Page 51A; Image 13 of
47; Family #147/117.
Listed as Garland Chambers; age 6; born in WV; in household of father, Ambrose M. Chambers.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page494; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Garland Lee Chambers; age 22; born at McAlphin, WV; single; living at Elbert, WV; married on 28 Dec
1945 at Keystone, WV; Judy Virginia Hawkins; age 18; born in Wise Co, VA; single; living at Keystone, WV;
with consent of Albert Hughes, step-father of Judy Virginia Hawkins.
3. California Death Index, 1940-1997; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Garland L. Chambers; born 27 Dec 1923; died 19 Jan 1966 in Contra Costa Co, CA; SS# 235-28-1906;
mother's maiden name, Blevins.
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 31 Jul 2014.
Garland Lee Chambers; born 27 Dec 1923; died 19 Jan 1965; buried here; headstone photo shown;
"WEST VIRGINIA GM2 US NAVY WORLD WAR II".
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page494; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Garland Lee Chambers; age 22; born at McAlphin, WV; single; living at Elbert, WV; married on 28 Dec
1945 at Keystone, WV; Judy Virginia Hawkins; age 18; born in Wise Co, VA; single; living at Keystone, WV;
with consent of Albert Hughes, step-father of Judy Virginia Hawkins.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Registry; Browns Creek District; Vol #__(1960); WV Archives Web Site.
James Oscar Chambers; age 82; born 20 Aug 1979 in Blount Co, TN; retired miner; widowed;
SS#234-20-4835; living at Roderfield, WV; son of Laffett and Selena Ann (Bryant) Chambers;
died 28 Mar 1960 in Grace Hospital, Welch, WV; from massive upper GI hemorrhage; buried
1 Apr 1960 in Iaeger Memorial, Roderfield, WV.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
J.J. Chambers; 23 Jan 2012; headstone photo added by Tom Chambers, Jr.
James Oscar "Osker" Chambers; born 20 Aug 1977; died 28 Mar 1960; buried here; headstone
photo shown; "HUSBAND OF MARY CHARLOTTIE, FOR NOW THE LOAD HAS MADE ROOM FOR US"
"His brothers and sisters are;01. Mary Ann, b. 1869,
02. Samuel Rufus, b. 11 Mar 1871,
03. George William, b. 1872,
04. Hannah Leona, b. 1874,
05. Surah Jane, b. 1875,
06. Charles Edward, b. 1877,
07. James Oscar, b. 1877,
08. Ida Garst, b. 1880,
09. William Arthur, b. 22 Jan 1882,
10. Roxy Elvira, b. 1884,
11. John Alexander, b.1885.CHAMBERS, children of Oscar:
01. Ula May b. 1900
02. Pearl A. 1903
03. Anna Perna Gertrude b. 1903
04. Bernice b. 1905
05. Maggie b. 1906
06. Chestella b. 1907 (Hessie)
07. Edith Marie b. 1909
08. Lewis Thomas b. 1911
09. Verty Odine Jacquline b. 1913
10. Charlie b. 1915
11. Lottie Elizabeth b. 1917
12. Lillian Loraine b. 1919
13. Recla Lucille Billie Sunday b. 1922 ..."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Records; Vol #__(1955); WV Archives Web Site.
Mary Charlotte Chambers; age 67; born 4 Sep 1889 in Bryson City, NC; married; living at Big Four, WV;
daughter of Sam and Mary (Grimes) Elliott; died 27 Sep 1955 at Big Four, WV; from broncho pneumonia
with hypertensive cardiovascular disease; buried 2 oct 1955 in Iaeger Memorial; informant, Hessie
Quessenberry.
(Death certificate and headston birth dates are of by 10 yrs).
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
J.J. Chambers; 23 Jan 2012; headstone photo added by Tom Chambers, Jr.
Mary Charlottie Elliott Chambers; born 4 Sep 1879; died 27 Sep 1955; buried here; headstone photo shown;
"WIFE OF J.O.. CHAMBERS GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN".CHAMBERS, children of Oscar and Mary:
01. Ula May b. 1900
02. Pearl A. 1903
03. Anna Perna Gertrude b. 1903
04. Bernice b. 1905
05. Maggie b. 1906
06. Chestella b. 1907 (Hessie)
07. Edith Marie b. 1909
08. Lewis Thomas b. 1911
09. Verty Odine Jacquline b. 1913
10. Charlie b. 1915
11. Lottie Elizabeth b. 1917
12. Lillian Loraine b. 1919
13. Recla Lucille Billie Sunday b. 1922 ..."