1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #67 039657; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Gary R. Vance; age 20; born in Madison, WV; single; student; living at Bim, WV; son of Donald and
Maxine (White) Vance; married on 18 Oct 1967 in Russell Co, VA; Diana L. Tilley; age 16; born in
Kopperston, WV; single; student; living at Oceana, WV; daughter of Harvey L. and Grethel (Parsley)
Tilley, Jr.
2. Giles Co, VA; Marriage License #78 047390; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Roger Lee Massey; age 31; born 20 Apr 1947 in WV; divorced; this is his 2nd marriage; first marriage
ended 2 Oct 1978; 10th grade education; living at Box 911, Oceana, WV; son of Hicks and Nellie Gray
(Cline) Massey, Jr; married on 10 Oct 1978 in Rich Creek, VA; Diana Lynn Vance; maiden name Tilley;
divorced; this is her 2nd marriage; first marriage ended 20 Dec 1973; 10th gade education; living at
General Delivery, Oceana, WV; daughter of Harvey Leonard and Grethel (Parsley) Tilley, Jr.
3. Giles Co, VA; Marriage License #81-005853; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Roger Lee Massey; age 33; born 20 Apr 1947 in WV; divorced; this is his 3rd marriage; last marriage
ended 16 Jul 1979; 10th grade education; living at Box 911, Oceana, WV; son of Hick and Nellie Gray
(Cline) Massey; married on 5 Feb 1981 in Pearisburg, VA; Diana Lynn Massey; maiden name Tilley;
age 30; born 1 Jan 1951 in WV; 10th grade education; divorced; this is her 3rd marriage; last
marriage ended 16 Jul 1979; living at Box 1125, Oceana, WV; daughter of Harvey Leonard and
Grethel (Parsley) Tilley.
4. Stafford Funeral Home; Pineville, WV; Posted Obit.
"Diana Lynn Fox, 69, of Welch, WV, formerly of Kopperston passed away on Friday April 3, 2020 at McDowell
Nursing and Rehabilitation, Gary, WV. She was born on January 1, 1951 in Mullens, WV a daughter of the late
Harvey "Preach" Tilley and Grethel Dixie Parsley Brown. Diana was of the Baptist Faith. In addition to her
parents she is preceded in death by a daughter Sandra Kay Vance; and two granddaughters Ashley Nicole Vance
and Sharon Leann Vance. Survivors include two sons John Timothy Vance and Charles Leonard Vance both of
Pineville; two grandchildren Samantha Vance and Brian Vance; two brothers Donnie L. (Peggy) Tilley of KY and
Mike (Vicky) Tilley of TN; and a host of other loving family and friends. A private funeral services will be held on
Thursday April 9th in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV with Pastor Jeff Green officiating.
She will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. The family is being served by the Stafford
Family Funeral Home, Lynco"
1. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Raymond Roy Dotson
Race: White
Age: 20
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 24 Mar 1922
Birth Place: Covington, Virginia, USA
Residence Place: Welch, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 30 Jun 1942
Registration Place: Welch, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Employer: None
Weight: 162
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 6
Next of Kin: Mary Dotson
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Raymond Roy Dotson Self (Head)"
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1947); Page 383; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Raymond Roy Dotson; age 25; born in Covington, VA; single; living at Welch, WV; married on 12 Oct
1947 at Capels, WV; Geneva Cook; age 18; born in Hemphill, WV; single; living in Welch, WV; with
consent of Harvey Dotson, guardian; parents unknown; of Geneva Cook.
3. "The Welch News"; Welch, WV; Published Monday Evening, 19 Aug 2019; Page 8; Newspaper Obit
Services by Widner Funeral Home, Northfork, WV.
4. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Roger D. Steele"; Article; Page
244; submitted by Roger and Louise Steele, Rt 5, Box 420C, Bluefield, WV 24701.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1947); Page 383; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Raymond Roy Dotson; age 25; born in Covington, VA; single; living at Welch, WV; married on 12 Oct
1947 at Capels, WV; Geneva Cook; age 18; born in Hemphill, WV; single; living in Welch, WV; with
consent of Harvey Dotson, guardian; parents unknown; of Geneva Cook.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Geneva Joyce Dotson
[Geneva J Dotson]
[Geneva Dotson]
[Geneva Joyce Sizemore]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 26 Apr 1933
Birth Place: Hemphill Mcd, West Virginia
Death Date: 12 Sep 2003
Father: Estel Sizemore
Mother: Dolly E Mullens
SSN: 234987565
Notes: 12 Jun 1973: Name listed as GENEVA JOYCE DOTSON;
22 Apr 1994: Name listed as GENEVA J DOTSON;
17 Sep 2003: Name listed as GENEVA DOTSON"
3. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Geneva Dotson
SSN: 234-98-7565
Last Residence:
24701 Bluefield, Mercer, West Virginia, USA
Born: 24 Apr 1930
Died: 12 Sep 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (1973)"
4. "The Welch News"; Welch, WV; Published Monday Evening, 19 Aug 2019; Page 8; Newspaper Obit
Services by Widner Funeral Home, Northfork, WV.
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; "Roger D. Steele"; Article; Page
244; submitted by Roger and Louise Steele, Rt 5, Box 420C, Bluefield, WV 24701.
6. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Peace Be With You; 13 Oct 2020.
"Geneva Joyce Cook Dotson
Birth 24 Apr 1930 (sic, 26 Apr 1933)
Hemphill, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 12 Sep 2003 (aged 73)
Bluewell, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Burial Roselawn Memorial Gardens
Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 216885186"Additional Information Posted:
"BLUEWELL - Geneva Joyce Dotson, 73, of Route 5 Box 369-B, Bluewell, died Friday, Sept. 12,2003 at her residence. Born April 24,1930 in Hemphill, she was a daughter of the late Estle Sizemore and Dolly Mullins Cook. Mrs. Dotson had been a resident of Bluewell for 18 years and had formerly made her home in Capels. She was a homemaker and attended the Rock Independent Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Roy Dotson; two children, a grandchild, and two brothers. Survivors include daughters, Carol J. Miller of Brenton, Patricia A. Webb of Beckley, Louise Steele of Bluewell, and Crystal L. Tackett of Brushfork; sons, Jesse R. Dotson of Pineville, Raymond R. Dotson Jr. of Welch, David W. Dotson of Welch, and Bryan K. Dotson of Welch; sisters, Thelma Ratliff of Corene, Elsie Dotson (206289708) of Chesapeake, Va., and Carrie Wetherton (216869827) of Chesapeake, Va.; 22 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with the Ministers Kenneth Felts, Capels Church of God and Minister Brenda Jenkins, Northfork Church of God officiating. Burial will follow in * Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton where friends of the family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on from 6-9 p.m. Monday. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is handling the arrangements for the Dotson family."Bluefield Daily Telegraph
September 15, 2003 Page 3"
1. United States Public Records, 1970-2009, LDS Web Site.
"Name: W.H. Wagner
Also Known As Name: William H. Wagner
Event Date: 01 Jan 1998
Event Place: War, West Virginia, United States
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1930..."
"...Possible Relatives: Betty W. Wagner..."
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; "William H. Wagner Family";
Article; Page 257; submitted by Mrs. Betty Wagner; Caretta, WV 24821.
"...moved to McDowell County from Bristol, Tenn in 1953."
1. U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Betty R Wagner
Birth Date: 15 Feb 1930
Address: PO Box 975, War, WV , 24892-0975 (1991)"
2. Austin & Bell Funeral Home; Hendersonville, TN; Posted Obit.
"Betty Washington Robinson Wagner, age 89, of War, West Virgina, passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee on Wednesday, August 21, 2019."Betty was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She worked for over 40 years in the banking industry in War, West Virginia. There she was an avid member of Calvary Baptist Church and was awarded the Distinguished West Virginian Award. In her later years she enjoyed Center Point Church and being a part of their Happy Hearts Group.
"She is preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” H. Wagner; and son, A. Keith Wagner. She is survived by grandson, Adam (Carmen) Wagner; granddaughter, Afton Wagner; and daughter-in-law, Vickie Wagner.
"The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 from 1 pm until the Celebration of Life Service at 2 pm at Center Point Church with Brother Mike Trotter officiating. Graveside service will take place on Friday, August 30, at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Virginia at 11 am with Rev. J.C. Steele officiating. Serving as pall bearers are family and friends.
"The family has entrusted services to Austin & Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 104 Sanders Ferry Road, Hendersonville, TN. 615-822-4442"
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; "William H. Wagner Family";
Article; Page 257; submitted by Mrs. Betty Wagner; Caretta, WV 24821.
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; By Geneva Steel, Tom
Hatcher and Sandra Long; "Thornton Goode"; Article; Page 152; submitted by Nancy Goode Moore
Maderia, 266 W. Main St, Keystone, WV 24842.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 44; WV Archives Web Site.
R.L. Goode; age 32; born in Tazewell Co, VA; single; moulder; living at McDonald, WV' son of
Thornton and Ruth Goode; married on 18 Nov 1924 in Keystone, Lena V. Epling; age 19; born in
Mercer Co, WV; single; daughter of Luster and Ida.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 44; WV Archives Web Site.
R.L. Goode; age 32; born in Tazewell Co, VA; single; moulder; living at McDonald, WV' son of
Thornton and Ruth Goode; married on 18 Nov 1924 in Keystone, Lena V. Epling; age 19; born in
Mercer Co, WV; single; daughter of Luster and Ida.
2. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; By Geneva Steel, Tom
Hatcher and Sandra Long; "Thornton Goode"; Article; Page 152; submitted by Nancy Goode Moore
Maderia, 266 W. Main St, Keystone, WV 24842.
1. Tazewell Co, VA; Marriage License #16646; Ancestry.com Website.
Charley Kennedy; age 22; born in Jolo, WV; single; laborer in auto factory; living in Jolo, WV; son of
Edward and Bertha Jane (Atwell) Kennedy; married on 1 Jun 1960 in Tazewell, VA; Billie June
Spears; maiden name Lamie; age 22; born in Bartley, WV; widowed; one previous marriage;
housewife; living in Jolo, WV; daughter of John and Mattie (Smith) Lamie.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1969); Page 487; WV Archives Web Site.
Ellis Delson Bryson; age 20; born 2 Sep 1949 in Kyle, WV; single; no previous marriage; Negro; living
at Kyle, WV; son of Ralph and Eleanor (Manns) Bryson; married on 27 Sep 1969 in Northfork, WV;
Gloria Jean Stephens; age 17; born 18 Nov 1951 in Jenkinjones, WV; single; no previous marriage;
Negro; living at Kyle, WV; daughter of James Henry and Julia Elizabeth (King) Stephens.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1969); Page 487; WV Archives Web Site.
Ellis Delson Bryson; age 20; born 2 Sep 1949 in Kyle, WV; single; no previous marriage; Negro; living
at Kyle, WV; son of Ralph and Eleanor (Manns) Bryson; married on 27 Sep 1969 in Northfork, WV;
Gloria Jean Stephens; age 17; born 18 Nov 1951 in Jenkinjones, WV; single; no previous marriage;
Negro; living at Kyle, WV; daughter of James Henry and Julia Elizabeth (King) Stephens.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1951); Page 420; WV Archives Website.
Robert Charles Crouch; age 20; born in Beckley, WV; single; living at Oceana, WV; son of Ralph and
Grace Crouch; married on 22 Dec 1951 in Oceana, WV; Bobie Jean Francis; age 18; born in
Baileysville, WV; single; living in Oceana, WV; daughter of Charley and Emmis Frances.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1951); Page 420; WV Archives Website.
Robert Charles Crouch; age 20; born in Beckley, WV; single; living at Oceana, WV; son of Ralph and
Grace Crouch; married on 22 Dec 1951 in Oceana, WV; Bobie Jean Francis; age 18; born in
Baileysville, WV; single; living in Oceana, WV; daughter of Charley and Emmis Frances.
1. Evans - Calfee Funeral Home; Pineville, WV; Posted Obit.
"Marilyn June Farren, 84, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at Bowers Hospice House with her loving sister by her side."Born June 23, 1935 in Oceana, WV, she was a daughter of the late Charles Francis and Ennis Graham Francis.
"June was a kind, loving person and was loved by many. She was a very active member of both her community and church and will be greatly missed.
"She graduated from Oceana High School in 1953 and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from Concord University. She was a longtime member of the GFWC Oceana Woman’s Club, a member of the Oceana High School Alumni Association and was inducted in the Oceana High School Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Clear Fork Valley Baptist Church and dearly loved her church family.
"In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Farren, Sr.; two sisters, Bobbie Jean Crouch and Geneva May Francis; and a niece, Desiree Crouch.
"Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Bob Farren Jr. and wife Kathy of Pinehurst, NC; her sister and best friend, Phyllis Ann Clark of Beckley; grandchildren, Casey Farren and his wife Megan, Kristin Farren and Emily Johnston; a great-grandchild Lily Gray Farren; very special nephew, Robbie Crouch; and a special niece, Debbie Mason.
"The family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you for the excellent care, love and compassion bestowed upon June by her very special caregivers, Connie Adkins, Jennifer Stone, Kathryn Funderbunk and Cindy Anderson.
"Family and friends will gather this fall to celebrate June’s life. She is being laid to rest beside her husband at Palm Memorial Gardens in Matheny.
"In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to Hospice of Southern WV, PO Box 1472, Beckley WV 25801 or Clear Fork Valley Baptist Church, PO Box 1553, Oceana WV 24870."