1. 1940 Census, Fayette Co, PA; German Township; Leckrone #2; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1008A;
Household #385.
Listed as William Lancaster; age 30; born in PA; 2 yrs HS education; married; Negro; stone crusher
for road contractor; in household of father-in-law, Charles Franklin, with wife and children.
1. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1911; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Gladest Franklin
Birth Date: 6 Feb 1916
Birth Place: Warwick, Virginia, USA
Certificate Number: 1916007497
Father: Charlie Franklin
Mother: Irean Massie "
2. 1920 Census; Warwick Co, Newport News; taken 6 Feb 1920; Page 95A; Family #157/157.
Listed as Mabel Franklin; age 4; born in VA; mulatto; in household of father, Charles Franklin.
3. 1930 Census, Fayette Co, PA; German Township; taken 3 Apr 1930; Page 163A; Family #87/87.
Listed as Mable Franklin; age 14; born in VA; single; Negro; attending school; in household of
father, Charles Franklin.
4. 1940 Census, Fayette Co, PA; German Township; Leckrone #2; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1008A;
Household #385.
Listed as Mabel Lancaster; age 23; born in VA; 7th grade education; married; Negro; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Charles Franklin, with husband and children.
5. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Mabel Lancaster [Gladys Mabel Franklin]
Gender: Female
Race: Black
Birth Date: 6 Feb 1916
Birth Place: Newport Warw, Virginia
Death Date: 30 Apr 1995
Father:
Charles Franklin
Mother:
Irean Massie
SSN: 206586994
Death Certificate Number: 00000000000000000000006853
Type of Claim: Birth record established before age of 5.
Notes: 27 Nov 1978: Name listed as MABEL LANCASTER"
1. 1940 Census, Fayette Co, PA; German Township; Leckrone #2; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1008A;
Household #385.
Listed as Eugene Lancaster; age 3; born in PA; Negro; in household of grandfather, Charles Franklin,
with parents.
1. 1940 Census, Fayette Co, PA; German Township; Leckrone #2; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1008A;
Household #385.
Listed as William Lancaster; age 2; born in PA; Negro; in household of grandfather, Charles Franklin,
with parents.
1. 1940 Census, Fayette Co, PA; German Township; Leckrone #2; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1008A;
Household #385.
Listed as Carl Lancaster; age 1; born in PA; Negro; in household of grandfather, Charles Franklin,
with parents.
1. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Oval Deskins
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: abt 1935
Marriage Registration Place: Dickenson, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 2 Jul 1956
Marriage Place: Clintwood, Virginia, USA
Father: Oval Deskins
Mother: Easter York
Spouse: Mary Blackburn
Certificate Number: 1956020216"
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Patricia Wilbert; 12 Apr 2006; maintained by Sue Lapp.
" Oval Deskins Jr.
Birth 11 Jun 1936
Death 23 Oct 1995 (aged 59)
Burial
New Horizon Memorial Gardens
Jefferson County, Alabama, USA
Memorial ID 13922857"
1. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Observer; 9 Aug 2016; maintained by Find a Grave.
" Billie Evelyn West Deskins
Birth 23 May 1937
Death 9 Aug 2016 (aged 79)
Cordova, Walker County, Alabama, USA
Burial
New Horizon Memorial Gardens
Jefferson County, Alabama, USA Show Map
Memorial ID 167980504"Additional Information Posted:
"Billie Evelyn Deskins, age 79, passed away at Cordova Heath Care, Cordova, Alabama."
2. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Evelyn Deskins
Gender: Female
Death Age: 79
Birth Date: 1937
Residence Place: Cordova
Death Date: 9 Aug 2016
Obituary Date: 7 Jan 2020
Spouse:
Oval Deskins
Child:
[No Name]
Debbie Cline
Michael Deskins
Easter Ballenger
Mark Deskins
Robin Blevins
Cletus Blackburn"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1939); Page 233; WV Archives Web Site.
John Yakimovich; born 22 Apr 1895 in Russia; single; living in Vivian, WV; son of Toney and Polly; was
issued a license to marry on 16 Sep 1939 in McDowell Co, WV; to Julia Chandler; born 25 Sep 1912
in Henry Co, VA; widow; living at Kimball, WV; daughter of J.B. and Sarah Spence; no return by a
minister.
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; "Ellis O'Brien and Daisy Pearl H
Lee" Article; Page 187; submitted by Pat Joyce, Rt2, Box 49, White Plains, MD 20695.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 279; WV Archives Web Site.
William E. Mitchell; born 21 Aug 1913 in Welch, WV; living in Welch, WV; son of George and Virgie
Mitchell; married on 5 Oct 1937 in Welch, WV; Mary Cleo Wilson; born 4 Feb 1915 at Maitland, WV;
living at Maitland, WV; daughter of Thomas and Bertha Wilson.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 279; WV Archives Web Site.
William E. Mitchell; born 21 Aug 1913 in Welch, WV; living in Welch, WV; son of George and Virgie
Mitchell; married on 5 Oct 1937 in Welch, WV; Mary Cleo Wilson; born 4 Feb 1915 at Maitland, WV;
living at Maitland, WV; daughter of Thomas and Bertha Wilson.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'57 007654; WV Archives Web Site.
Janet Lee Mitchell; age 6 days; born 17 May 1957; died 23 May 1957 in Welch Emergency Hospital,
Welch, WV; daughter of William and Mary Cleo (Wilson) Mitchell; parents living in Logan, WV; died
due to congential atelectasis (lung collapse); buried 23 May 1957 in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery,
Roderfield, WV; informant, William Mitchell, Logan, WV.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by;
Kenneth Bowen; 28 May 2012.
Janet Lee Mitchell; born 17 May 1957; died 23 May 1957; buried here; no grave marker photo shown.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, Horse Creek Road, taken on 16 Apr 1930,
Page 237A, Family #222.
Listed as Roscoe Morgan, age 21, born in WV, in household of father, Burrell Morgan.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1953); Page 119; WV Archives Web Site.
Lawrence Roscoe Morgan; age 45; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single;; married on 27 Dec 1953
at Iaeger, WV; Martha Marie Ward; age 29; born and living at iaeger, WV; single;.
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted
by B. Walls; 14 Dec 2013; maintained by Valerie Neal.
Judge Lawrence Roscoe Morgan; born 11 Dec 1908; died 15 Mar 1968; buried here; grave marker
photo shown; "Lawrence was born December 11, 1908. His twin was Elmo Morgan.
Not sure why his headstone reads December 9, 1909.
Even his SS Death Index reads December 11,1908. ..."
4. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "L.R. and Marie W. Morgan"; Article; Page 213; submitted by Alice S, Addair, PO
Box 82, Avondale, WV 24811.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Sandy District; Iaeger; Railroad Ave; taken on 9 Apr 1930;
Page 170A; Image 17 of 22; Family #116/175.
Listed as Martha M. Ward; age 5; born in WV; in household of father, Samuel E. Ward.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1953); Page 119; WV Archives Web Site.
Lawrence Roscoe Morgan; age 45; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single;; married on 27 Dec 1953
at Iaeger, WV; Martha Marie Ward; age 29; born and living at iaeger, WV; single;.
3. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "L.R. and Marie W. Morgan"; Article; Page 213; submitted by Alice S, Addair, PO
Box 82, Avondale, WV 24811.
4. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Samuel Ward Family"; Article; Page 256; submitted by Alice S. Addair; PO Box
82, Avondale, WV 24811.
5. "The Welch News"; Welch, WV; Posted Obit; 15 Oct 2021; On-Line Edition.
"Martha Marie Morgan, 97, of Bluefield, West Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at her home surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Iaeger, West Virginia, on September 25, 1924, she was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel E. and Hallie L. Ward; her husband, Judge Lawrence R. Morgan; her beloved twin sister, Margaret L. Ward, of Lakeland, Fla.; four brothers, Edward Ward of Iaeger, Robert Ward of Atlanta, Ga., Samuel Ward of Charleston, S.C., and Jessie Herman Ward, of Beaufort, S.C., and one sister, Virginia Dew, of Whitesville, W.Va. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include two sons, Lawrence Morgan, Jr. of Lakeland, Fla., and Ward Morgan of Bluefield; two grandchildren, Edward Morgan, of Charlottesville, Va., and Morgan Hunley, of Cherokee, N.C., special niece, Dixie O’Connor, of Bluefield, and a host of extended family for whom she had a special bond.
She was a graduate of Iaeger High School, Class of 1942, and due to World War II, after completing one year of college at Concord College, she left school to begin her long teaching career, starting out in a one-room school in McDowell County. She returned to Concord in 1960 to complete her degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education I n 1962. She then returned to the classroom, teaching for more than 35 years before retiring in 1985. Upon retirement, she and her twin sister, Margaret, enjoyed several years of extensive travel.
Known for her kindness and concern for others, her life was dedicated to teaching and to providing comfort and support to the less fortunate. She leaves a legacy of caring to the thousands of students she taught. She was a former Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star in McDowell County, and was an avid reader, ceramics artist and cook. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Iaeger, and upon moving to Bluefield in 2009, she became a member of the Bland Street United Methodist Church.
The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers who provided so much comfort during her final weeks, including Brenda Craft, Terry Sink, Gay Wine, Kim Damron and Carol Graham, and the dedicated staff of Amedysis Hospice.
Given the restrictions of COVID-19, there will be only graveside services at the Iaeger Memorial Cemetery in Roderfield on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Amedysis Hospice.
Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Martha Marie Morgan."
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 14 Dec 2013; maintained by Valerie Neal.
Infant Son Morgan; born and died 9 Dec 1954 at Iaeger, WV; buired here; grave marker photo shown;
"Inscription; Infant son of Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Morgan".
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "L.R. and Marie W. Morgan"; Article; Page 213; submitted by Alice S, Addair, PO
Box 82, Avondale, WV 24811.
1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #69-047430; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Lonnie Bert Lester; age 24; born 14 Aug 1945 in WV; single; this is his 1st marriage; 2 yrs HS
education; living at Box 761, Wilcoe, WV; son of Fred and Hazel (Harria) Lester; married on 26 Nov
1969 in Lebanon, VA; Opal McClanahan; maiden name, Vencill; age 39; born 18 Aug 1930 in WV;
divorced; this is her 3rd marriage; 8th grade education; living at General Delivery, Bartley, WV;
daughter of Earl and Annie (Welch) Vencill.
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #76-013981; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Lonnie Bert Lester; age 30; born 14 Aug 1945 in Wilcoe, WV; divorced; this is his 2nd marriage; 1 yr
HS education; living at Mill Creek Trailer Court, Bartley, WV; son of Fred and Hazel (Harris Lester;
married in 22 Apr 1976 in lebanon, VA; Opal Lester; maiden name Vencill; age 45; born 18 Aug
1930 in Bartley, WV; divorced; this is her 4th marriage; 8th grade education; living at Mill Creek
Trailer Park, Bartley, WV; daughter of Earl R. and Anna (Welch) Vencill.
3. U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lonnie B Lester
Birth Date: 14 Aug 1945
Address: PO Box 3284, Concord, NC, 28025-0005 (1992)
[4937 Buckboard Cir, Concord, NC, 28025-8234]
[2748 Barnfield Rd # 45, Concord, NC, 28025-8223 (1992)] "
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lonnie Bert Lester
[Lonnie B Lester]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 10 Aug 1945
Birth Place: Wilcoe MacDo, West Virginia
[Wilcoe, West Virginia]
Death Date: 28 Mar 2003
SSN: 232706063
Notes: Aug 1961: Name listed as LONNIE BERT LESTER;
09 Apr 2003: Name listed as LONNIE B LESTER"
4. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lonnie B. Lester
SSN: 232-70-6063
Last Residence:
24836 Gary, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Born: 14 Aug 1945
Died: 28 Mar 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina or West Virginia (1960-1961)"
1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #4276; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Coy leonard McClanahan; age 23; born in Galax, VA; single; no occupation; living at Gary, WV; son
of Leonard and Gladys (Snow) McClanhan; married on 10 Feb 1958 in Lebanon, VA; Opal Smith;
maiden name Vencil; age 27; born in Bartley, WV; divorced; one previous marriage; living at Bartley,
WV; daughter of Earl and Annie (Welch) Vencil.
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #69-047430; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Lonnie Bert Lester; age 24; born 14 Aug 1945 in WV; single; this is his 1st marriage; 2 yrs HS
education; living at Box 761, Wilcoe, WV; son of Fred and Hazel (Harria) Lester; married on 26 Nov
1969 in Lebanon, VA; Opal McClanahan; maiden name, Vencill; age 39; born 18 Aug 1930 in WV;
divorced; this is her 3rd marriage; 8th grade education; living at General Delivery, Bartley, WV;
daughter of Earl and Annie (Welch) Vencill.
3. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #76-013981; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Lonnie Bert Lester; age 30; born 14 Aug 1945 in Wilcoe, WV; divorced; this is his 2nd marriage; 1 yr
HS education; living at Mill Creek Trailer Court, Bartley, WV; son of Fred and Hazel (Harris Lester;
married in 22 Apr 1976 in lebanon, VA; Opal Lester; maiden name Vencill; age 45; born 18 Aug
1930 in Bartley, WV; divorced; this is her 4th marriage; 8th grade education; living at Mill Creek
Trailer Park, Bartley, WV; daughter of Earl R. and Anna (Welch) Vencill.
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Opal Ray Vencil
[Opal Ray Smith]
[Opal Smith]
[Opal McClanahan]
[Opal Lester]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 18 Aug 1930
Birth Place: Bartley Mcdo, West Virginia
Death Date: 8 Apr 1998
Father: Earl A Vencil
Mother: Anna E Welch
SSN: 234428503
Notes: Jul 1944: Name listed as OPAL RAY VENCIL;
Jan 1950: Name listed as OPAL RAY SMITH;
Jul 1956: Name listed as OPAL SMITH;
Nov 1959: Name listed as OPAL MCCLANAHAN;
Dec 1969: Name listed as OPAL LESTER"
5. North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Opal Vencil Lester
[Opal Vencil Vencil]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Hispanic Origin: Non-Hispanic
Marital status: Married
Social Security Number: 234428503
Father's Last Name: Vencil
Age: 67 Years
Date of Birth: 18 Aug 1930
Residence City: Concord
Residence County: Cabarrus
Residence State: North Carolina
Residence Zip Code: 28027
Education: 8th grade
Date of Death: 8 Apr 1998
Death City: Concord
Death County: Cabarrus
Death State: North Carolina
Cause of Death: Chronic airway obstruction, not elsewhere classified
institution: Residence
Attendant: Physician
Burial Location: Removal out-of-state
Recorded Date: 15 Apr 1998
Source Vendor: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics"
6. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by F. Hylton; 25 Jun 2011.
" Opal V Lester
Birth 18 Aug 1930
Death 8 Apr 1998 (aged 67)
Burial
Grandview Memory Gardens
Bluefield, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA"