1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Donald Ray “Donnie” Sparks departed from this earthly life, Tuesday, September 21, 2021, in Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, VA. Donnie was born January 8, 1973, in Welch, WV, a son of Donald and Patsy Estep Sparks. He was a coal miner for 22 years and was well known for his skill and precision with operating mining equipment. He worked tirelessly to provide for his wife and children whom he loved above all else. Donnie loved to reminisce, horseplay and spend time with his family. He was an adamant storyteller, his laugh was contagious. On any given day he could be found working up a trade, listening to music, or asking his children to bring up the grandbabies. While the years we had with him were not enough, we will cherish the time we did have."Donnie was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmerine and Clara Estep, and Vernor and Elizabeth Sparks; and his father in law, John Hicks.
"Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 29 years, Jennifer Hicks Sparks; his children, Joseph and Johnna Sparks of Mendota, VA, Tabitha and Jon Cline of Beartown, WV, Bridgett and Bam Mullins of War, WV and Haley Sparks of the home; seven grandchildren, Emma, Luke, and Landon Cline, Ainsleigh and Eden Sparks and Brenae and Silas Mullins; his father and mother, Jackie and Patsy Sparks; a brother, Jackie and Patricia Sparks; sister, Jessica Sparks; and several nieces and nephews.
"Funeral services will be conducted at 1 o’clock, Saturday, September 25, 2021with Elder Jimmy Amos and Elder Gary Estep officiating at the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church in Ground Hog near Jolo, WV. Burial will follow in the Sparks Cemetery at Beartown near Paynesville, WV. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
"Friends may visit with the family Friday evening, September 24, 2021 after 6 p.m. at the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church in Groundhog near Jolo, WV, where evening services will be held at 7 p.m. Services will be held in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines, mask are to be worn by all attending and social distancing is to be practiced.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV, is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__( 1937); Page 137; WV Archives Website.
Vester Rose; born in 1893 in White Co, TN; living at Iaeger, WV; son of W.A. and _____; married on 7
Aug 1937 at Iaeger, WV; Tilda Plummer; born 21 Nov 1906 in Iaeger, WV; living in Iaeger, WV;
daughter of Lisha and Polly Lester>
1. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 79B; Family #10.
Listed as Matilda Rose; age 4; born in WV; in household of mother, Mary J. Steel Rose.
2. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Iaeger; takern on 24 Mar 1920; Page 251A;
Family #320.
Listed as Tilda Lester; age 14; born in WV; in household of mother, Mary Steel Rose.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 264; WV Archives Web Site.
John Plummer; age 29; born in Grayson Co, VA; single; miner; living at Sandy Huff, WV; son of
unlisted parents; married on 5 Mar 1924 at Sandy Huff, WV; Bell Rose; age 19; born in Smyth Co,
VA; single; daughter of Elisha and Polly.
4. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__( 1937); Page 137; WV Archives Website.
Vester Rose; born in 1893 in White Co, TN; living at Iaeger, WV; son of W.A. and _____; married on 7
Aug 1937 at Iaeger, WV; Tilda Plummer; born 21 Nov 1906 in Iaeger, WV; living in Iaeger, WV;
daughter of Lisha and Polly Lester.
5. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Lynn Cemetery, Lincoln Co, WV; submitted by Chris Ann; 15 Mar 2012.
Matilda Belle Rose Plummer; born 24 Nov 1903; died 11 Jul 1971 in Pike Co, KY, buried here; photo
shown.
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; McDowell Co Historical Society",
1999. "Clarence R. and Lissie M. Bailey" Article; Page 164; submitted by Joyce Reed, Maiden, NC.
2. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"It is with a sad and broken heart that we try and write this obituary for our loving daddy, John Everett Hicks Sr. who left his earthly home March 3, 2021 for his eternal Heavenly home."Our dad was born December 29, 1942 in Bradshaw, WV, a son of the late John R. and Mealie Pruitt Hicks. He was a certified electrician and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge 17 in Grundy, VA, which he joined in 1966. Our dad’s life was his family; he loved when his grandchildren came to visit it always brought a smile to his face and made his day. Dad loved going to church and singing for the Lord. He taught many how to sing the old-time songs. He raised his children to praise God, to go to church and to help their family and neighbors. Dad joined the Little Flock Old Regular Baptist Church August 17, 1969 and was a member of the Old Regular Baptist Faith for 51 years. He currently was a member of the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church and he loved visiting the other sister churches.
" In addition to his parents, John R. and Mealie Hicks he was preceded in death by one brother, David Hicks; a nephew, Jamie Bailey; three brothers-in-law, James Elmer Puckett, Clarence Bailey, and Jimmy Golf; and a sister-in-law, Juanita Hicks.
" Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Lexie Coleman Hicks of the home; eight children, Angie Stevens of Bristol, TN, Sharon Rife of Whitewood, VA, Denise (Jimmy) Amos of Lindside, WV, Jennifer (Donald) Sparks of Beartown, WV, Bonnie (Randall) Young of Lindside, WV, Teresa (Steven) Cline of Panther, WV, John (Tonya) Hicks of Ballard, WV, and Patricia (Jackie) Sparks of Paynesville, WV; 21 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; three brothers, Willard (Vickie) Hicks of Paynesville, WV, Ruben (Laura) Hicks of Kendallville, IN, Harold (Judy) Hicks also of Kendallville, IN, three sisters, Lissie Bailey of Bradshaw, WV Janice Golf of Grundy, VA, Juanita Smith of Orange County, VA; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, church family and friends.
"Funeral services will be conducted Monday, March 8, 2021 at 1 o’clock with Elders Gary Estep, Jimmy Amos, Mark Justice, Roger Coleman and Terry O’Quinn officiating at the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church at Groundhog near Jolo, WV. Burial will in the John E. Hicks Cemetery at Paynesville, WV. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
"Friends may visit with the family Saturday evening March 6, 2021at the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church in Groundhog near Jolo, WV. Friends may also visit at the church all day Sunday, March 7, 2021. Evening services will be held each evening at 7 o’clock.
"Services will be held in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines, mask are to be worn by all attending and social distancing is to be practiced.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV, is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Jenkinjones; E.D. 24-9; Page 189A; Image 29 of 50;
Household #146.
Listed as Herbert P. Walker; age 15; born in WV; 7th grade education; attending school; lived in same
place on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Henry M. Walker.
2. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Evelyn Arnold and H. Paxton
Walker"; Article; Page 258; submitted by Martha Moore, Charleston, WV and Carole Arnold, 40 Lake
Drive, Welch, WV 24801-2506.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Big Sandy; taken 15 Apr 1930; Page 60A;
Image 49 of 57; Family #418/436.
Listed as Doris E. Arnold; age 3 yrs, 10 mons; born in WV; in household of father, George J. Arnold.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Davy; E.D. 24-35; taken 2 Apr 1940; Page
594A; Imagr 3 of 57; Household #23.
Listed as Evelyn Arnold; age 13; born in WV; 7th garde education; attending school; lived in
McDowell Co, WV on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, George J. Arnold.
3. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Evelyn Arnold and H. Paxton
Walker"; Article; Page 258; submitted by Martha Moore, Charleston, WV and Carole Arnold, 40 Lake
Drive, Welch, WV 24801-2506.
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; "William J. Whitt, Miner"; Article;
Page 261; submitted by Sandra Taylor, 408 St, Dr, Severna Park, MD 21146.
2. West Virginia, U.S., Deaths Index, 1853-1973; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: William Newton Whitt
Birth Date: 18 Feb 1884
Birth Place: Princeton, West Virginia
Death Date: 1 Jun 1956
Death Place: Warriormines, McDowell, West Virginia
Burial Date: 4 Jun 1956
Cemetery Name: Hartwell Cem.
Death Age: 72
Occupation: Retired Miner
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
Residence: Warriormines, McDowell, West Virginia
Father Name: Charles Whitt
Mother Name: Martha Arms
FHL Film Number: 800214"
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; "William J. Whitt, Miner"; Article;
Page 261; submitted by Sandra Taylor, 408 St, Dr, Severna Park, MD 21146.
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; "Braston and Judy K. Westbrook,
Miner"; Article; Page 261; submitted by Judy Kay Westbrook, Box 508, Bradshaw, WV 24817.
"...now resides in Baltimore, Maryland."
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; "Braston and Judy K. Westbrook,
Miner"; Article; Page 261; submitted by Judy Kay Westbrook, Box 508, Bradshaw, WV 24817.
"...now resides in Baltimore, Maryland."