1. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Elmer Raymond Crigger
Race: White
Age: 18
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Place: Wilbur, West Virginia, USA
Birth Date: 22 May 1926
Residence Place: Yukon, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 22 May 1944
Employer: Unemployed
Weight: 140
Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black
Height: 5 7
Next of Kin: James Crigger
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Elmer Raymond Crigger Self (Head)"
2. Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Elmer Raymond Crigger; age 44; born 22 May 1926 in WV; widowed; this was his 2nd marriage;
8th grade education; living at Box 267, English, WV; son of James and Oma (Baker) Crigger;
married on 16 Jan 1971 in Lebanon, VA; Shirley Jean Thornsbury; maiden name Anderson (sic?)
age 31; born 3 Jan 1940 in WV; divorced; this was her 3rd marriage; livin at Box 54, Bartley, WV;
4 yrs HS education; daughter of Earnest and Martha (Toler) Anderson.
3. Fanning Funeral Home; War, WV; Posted Obit.
"Elmer R. Crigger, age 85, of #2 Yukon, WV, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011, at Princeton Community Hospital. Born May 22, 1926, in William Pokey, Warriormine, WV was the son of the late Jim and Oma Baker Crigger.
"He was a resident of Yukon, WV the greater part of his life. He was a member of the Trinity Assembly Church in English, WV. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army. A retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA.
"Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister."Survivors include his wife, Shirley Barker Crigger, seven sons: Raymond Crigger and wife Kay of Grafton, Ohio; David Crigger of Princeton, WV and fiance, Alisa; Roy Crigger of Okeechobee, Florida; Rick Thornsbury of Yukon #2; Preston Thornsbury and wife, Tina of Calhoun, Georgia; Greg Crigger of Yukon #2 and fiance, Diane; Michael Scott Crigger of Yukon #2. One daughter, Karen Crigger and husband, Rocky of Yukon #2. Four brothers; Marvin Crigger, War, WV; Paul Crigger, English, WV; Darrie Crigger, Valley City, Ohio and Henry Crigger, West Salem, Ohio. Three sisters; Hattie Hutson, Beulah Powers and Wanda Crigger all of Avon Lake, Ohio. 14 grandchildren, 20 great granchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren.
"Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. from the Trinity Assembly Church in English, WV with Rev. Charlie Dean Barker, Rev. Lacy Griffith and Rev. Keith Meade officiating and the Ray Long Family singers. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA, where military graveside rites will be conducted by Bradshaw American Legion Post 175 and Iaeger VFW Post 1144. .."
1. Tazewell Co, VA; Marriage License #39975; Ancestry.com Web Site.
James Harold Gibson; age 24; born in Knox Co, KY; single; laborer; living at Bishop, VA; son of
James A. and Eva E. (Lay) Gibson; married on 11 Oct 1939 in Tazewell, VA; Vida York; age 18; born
in War, WV; single; living in Bishop, VA; daughter of George and Stella (Wallace) York.
2. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: James Harold Gibson
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 25
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 18 Feb 1915
Birth Place: Bryants Store
Residence Place: War, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: War, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Employer: Carter Coal Company
Weight: 154
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 8
Next of Kin: Vida Gwen Gibson
Household Members:
Name Relationship
James Harold Gibson Self (Head)
Vida Gwen Gibson Wife"
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by April; 22 Jul 2009.
" James Harold Gibson
Birth 18 Feb 1915
Knox County, Kentucky, USA
Death 20 Apr 1978 (aged 63)
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial
Lay Cemetery
Bryants Store, Knox County, Kentucky, USA "
1. Tazewell Co, VA; Marriage License #39975; Ancestry.com Web Site.
James Harold Gibson; age 24; born in Knox Co, KY; single; laborer; living at Bishop, VA; son of
James A. and Eva E. (Lay) Gibson; married on 11 Oct 1939 in Tazewell, VA; Vida York; age 18; born
in War, WV; single; living in Bishop, VA; daughter of George and Stella (Wallace) York.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by Donna Sutphin Armentrout; 8 Jan 2013.
" Vida Gwen York Peterson
Birth 10 May 1924
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 2 Jan 2013 (aged 88)
Carroll County, Virginia, USA
Burial
Gladesboro Lutheran Church Cemetery
Gladesboro, Carroll County, Virginia, USA "Additional Information Posted:
"Vida Gwen Peterson, 88, of Hillsville, passed away at Heritage Hall Laurel Meadows Nursing Home, on Wednesday, January 2, 2013."She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick Peterson.
"Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Brita and Jimmy Hash of Austinville, VA;
step-daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Robert Rose of Minneola, FL;
step-son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Gilbert and Deloris Peterson of Lititz, PA;
grandson and spouse, Jonathan and Allison Semones of Hillsville, VA;
sister, Shirley Blevins of Pinnacle, NC;
other children include Laura Gibson of Wytheville, VA, James Gibson of Cedar Bluff, VA;
other grandchildren and great grandchildren."She was preceded in death by a daughter, Vida Ellen Boise.
"Her special care givers were the Heritage Hall Laurel Meadows Nursing Home Staff.
"Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Hillsville on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Michael Shockley and Rev. Wayne Pickett officiating.
"Interment will follow in the Gladesboro Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2013 at the church."
1. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Panther; taken on 15 Apr 1910; Page 95A;
Family #7/7.
Listed as Lark Steel; age 7; born in WV; in household of father, Henry C. Steel.
2. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 2 Jan 1920; Page 253A; Image 1 of
43; Family #3/3.
Listed as Lark Steele; age 17; born in WV; single; farm laborer; in household of mother, Celia
Kenneda Steele.
3. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 14 Apr 1930; Page 234B; Image
23 of 33; Family #197/198.
Listed as Lark Steel; age 26; born in WV; married at 20; farmer; head of household.
4. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59[ taken on 16 Apr 1940; Page
1158A; Image 19 of 66; Household #137.
Listed as Lark Steel; age 36; born in WV; married; 5th grade education; lived in same place on 1 Apr
1935; farmer; head of household.
5. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lark Steele
Race: White
Age: 39
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Place: Laeger, West Virginia, USA
Birth Date: 2 Feb 1903
Residence Place: Laeger, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 16 Feb 1942
Occupation: Unemployed
Weight: 175
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Blonde
Height: 5 9
Next of Kin: Lucy Steele
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Lark Steele Self (Head)"
6. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #13246; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Lark Steele; age 56; born and living in Iaeger, WV; widowed; one previous marriage; son of Henry
and Celia (Kennedy) Steele; married on 29 May 1959 in Lebanon, VA; Virgie Collins; age 30; born
and living at Rockridge, WV; single; daughter of Riley and Tildy (Blevins) Collins.
7..Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lark Steele
SSN: 233-14-0473
Last Residence:
24844 Iaeger, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
BORN: 15 Apr 1903
Last Benefit: 24817, Bradshaw, Mcdowell, West Virginia, United States of America
Died: Apr 1986
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (Before 1951)"
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 14 Apr 1930; Page 234B; Image
23 of 33; Family #197/198.
Listed as Lucy Steel; age 23; born in VA; married at 17; in household of husband, Lark Steele.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59[ taken on 16 Apr 1940; Page
1158A; Image 19 of 66; Household #137.
Listed as Lucy Steel; age 25; born in WV; married; 5th grade education; lived in same place on 1 Apr
1935; in household of husband, Lark Steele.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 18 Apr 1930; Page 239A; Image
31 of 33; Family #257/261.
Listed as Elisha Roberts; age 3 yrs, 9 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Riley Roberts.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage records; Vol #__(1946); Page 91; WV Archives Web Site.
Elisha Miles Roberts; age 21; born in Panther, WV; single; living at Iaeger, WV; married on
25 Jan 1946 at Johnny Cake, WV; Alice Steele; age 21; single; born in Panther, WV; living
at Iaeger, WV.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 14 Apr 1930; Page 234B; Image
23 of 33; Family #197/198.
Listed as Alice Steel; age 4 yrs, 11 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Lark Steele.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage records; Vol #__(1946); Page 91; WV Archives Web Site.
Elisha Miles Roberts; age 21; born in Panther, WV; single; living at Iaeger, WV; married on
25 Jan 1946 at Johnny Cake, WV; Alice Steele; age 21; single; born in Panther, WV; living
at Iaeger, WV.
1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #68 051551; Ancestry.com Web Site.
James H, Gibson, Jr; age 22; born 17 Jun 1946 in WV; single; this is his 1st marriage; 2 yrs college
education; living at War, WV; son of James H. and Vita (York) Gibson, Sr; married on 23 Dec 1968 in
Lebanon, VA; Margaret L. Whitt; age 19; born 24 May 1949 in WV; single; this is her 1st marriage;
4 yrs HS education; living at Caretta, WV; daughter of Elmer and Ona (Senic) Whitt.
1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #68 051551; Ancestry.com Web Site.
James H, Gibson, Jr; age 22; born 17 Jun 1946 in WV; single; this is his 1st marriage; 2 yrs college
education; living at War, WV; son of James H. and Vita (York) Gibson, Sr; married on 23 Dec 1968 in
Lebanon, VA; Margaret L. Whitt; age 19; born 24 May 1949 in WV; single; this is her 1st marriage;
4 yrs HS education; living at Caretta, WV; daughter of Elmer and Ona (Senic) Whitt.
2. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home; Richlands, VA; Posted Obit.
"Margaret Louise “Peggy” Gibson, age 69, of Cedar Bluff, Virginia entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 4, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her loving family."Margaret was born on May 24, 1949 in War, West Virginia to the late George Elmer and Ona “Zike” Senic Whitt. She was a retired postal clerk at the North Tazewell Post Office and a former employee of 67 Grocery. Peggy was a loving wife, mom, nana, sister, and friend. She was devoted to serving others, and did so with a joyful heart. She was a member of the Good Samaritan Food Pantry Board in Richlands, Virginia. She was also active in many ministries of the Cedar Bluff Community Church, including the Souper Bowl of Caring Campaign. She was actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren, and was lovingly referred to as “Nana” by many kids through the years.
"In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother George Elmer Whitt, Jr.
"Those left to cherish her memory include:
"Her husband: James H. “Jim” Gibson, Jr.
"Daughters
Susan Beth Meade of Cedar Bluff, Virginia
Rebecca Gibson Dye and husband, Dolphus of Pounding Mill, Virginia"Son: James Gibson III of Cedar Bluff, Virginia
"Sister: Sue Jones and husband, Billy of Augusta, Georgia
"Brother: Michael Whitt and wife, Viki of War, West Virginia
"Grandchildren: Brittney Dye and Daniela, Autumn Meade, and Kevin Dye.
"Granddog: Gandalf
"The family would like to thank the staff of the Nicewonder Cancer Center, Wellmont Cancer Institute, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Heritage Hall – Tazewell, Preferred Home Health, Legacy Hospice, and Brenda Looney for the exceptional care provided throughout her illness.
"Funeral services for Margaret Louise “Peggy” Gibson will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the Cedar Bluff Community Church with the Reverend Richard Smith and Dolphus Dye officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Chris Anderson, Allen Gross, Mike Johnson, Earl Keene, Joe Senic, and Jordan Whitt. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Ward, Moon Mullins, Dick Lee, Don Vass, Mike Oder, Howard North, and Greg “Hoss” Wood. The family will receive friends from 6 PM to 9 PM on Wednesday evening, March 6, 2019 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Bluff Community Church Souper Bowl of Caring, P.O. Box 196, Cedar Bluff, Virginia 24609 or to the American Cancer Society.
"Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com"
1. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; taken on 2 Apr 1910; Page 132A; Image 19
of 77; Family #172/174.
Listed as Eli Lester; age 15; born in WV; in household of step-father, Houston Richards.
2. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: William E Luster
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 44
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 12 Aug 1897
Birth Place: Kimball, West Virginia, USA
Residence Place: Iaeger, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 16 Feb 1942
Registration Place: Iaeger, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Employer: Andy Cline
Weight: 125
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black
Height: 5 2
Next of Kin: Janie Luster
Household Members:
Name Relationship
William E Luster Self (Head)
Janie Luster Wife"
3. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Houston Coal Co, Carswell; taken on 26/27
Jan, 1920; Page 164B; Image 21 of 24; Family #408/452.
Listed as William E. Luster; age 24; born in WV; single; laborer; works out; in household of
step-father, Houston R. Richards.
4. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1926); Page 332; WV Archives Web Site.
Eli Lester; age 26; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Hensley, WV; son of Dave and
Barbara; married on 5 Aug 1926 at Welch, WV; Lena Ati Church; age 18; born in McDowell Co, WV;
single; daughter of S.H. and Nancy.
5. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Browns Creek District, taken on 24 Apr 1930, Page 118B, Image
59 of 62; Family #569/591.
Listed as Eli Lester; age 35; born in WV; divorced; timber man in lumber industry; baorder; in
household of Lorenzo Dowell Lockhart.
6. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1934); Page 356; WV Archives Web Site.
Eli Lester; age 36; born in McDowell Co, WV; living at Hensley, WV; son of Dave and Barb Lester;
married on 24 Aug 1934 in Hanover, WV; Jane Shepherd; age 22; born in Wyoming Co, WV; living
in Hensley, WV; daughter of Leonard and Juda Shepherd.
7. 1940 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; E.D. 55-8; taken 26 Apr 1940; Page 182B;
Image 35 of 43; Household #275.
Listed as Eli Lester; age 45; born in WV; married; 2nd grade education; lived in same house on 1
Apr 1935; farmer; head of household.
8. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Willie Lester
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 12 Aug 1896
Death Date: 6 May 1966
SSN: 235261619
Enlistment Date 1: 7 Oct 1917
Release Date 1: 13 Mar 1918"
9. Raleigh Co, WV; Death Certificate #'66 007644; WV Archives Web Site.
William Eli Lester age 75; born 12 Aug 1890 in McDowell Co, WV; married; coal miner; served in
WW I; SS #235-26-1619; living at Davy, WV; son of Dave and Barbara (Richards) Lester; died 6 May
1966 in VA Hospital, Beckley, WV; due to cardiac insufficiency; chronic arteriosclerotic heart disease;
generalized arteriosclerosis; buried 8 May 1966 in Justice Cemetery, Asco, WV.
10. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by B. Walls; 12 Jul 2013.
" William Eli Lester
Birth 12 Aug 1890
West Virginia, USA
Death 6 May 1966 (aged 75)
Burial
Justice Cemetery
Asco, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA "Additional Information Posted:
"W. E. LESTER Wilton Eli Lester. 75. of Davy, died Friday in a Beckley hospital following an illness of the past six years. He was born in McDowell County, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lester. He was a veteran of World War I and a resident of Davy for the past 19 years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Jannie Shepherd Lester of Davy; three daughters, Mrs. Svlvia McFarlin and Mrs. Glenna Shirley of Quincy. Ohio, and Brenda Lester of Davy; three sons, Okey Charles. Otis William and Ozie Lester of Davy ; five sisters Mrs. Mabte Lowe of Sandy Huff, Mrs. Cecil Shepherd, Mrs. Lolie Lester and Mrs. Mazie Enel and of Hensley , Mrs. Lillie Newcomb of Asco; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Freewill Baptist Church in Davy, with Rev. Amos Belcher, Rev. Walter Green and Rev. Jack Hamilton officiating. Burial followed in the Justice Cemetery in Asco.
Contributor: Mandy F (49260255) "
11. Facebook Message Post; Kathy Williams.
"I have been working on my family tree for at least 20 years. I sent you a friend request. My parents
were Roy Shirley and Glenna Lester. My mothers parents were Williams Eli Lester and Rebecca
Jane Shepherd. Rebecca Shepherds parents were Leonard Shepherd and Judy Cameron, Judy's
parents were Andrew Cameron and Nancy P Rose.I can invite you to my Ancestry site."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1926); Page 332; WV Archives Web Site.
Eli Lester; age 26; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Hensley, WV; son of Dave and
Barbara; married on 5 Aug 1926 at Welch, WV; Lena Ati Church; age 18; born in McDowell Co, WV;
single; daughter of S.H. and Nancy.