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; "Ray Welch, Miner"; Article; Page
261; submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Welch, Box 75, Mavisdale, VA 24627.
2. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1891); Page 63; Line #10; WV Archives Website.
Silas Welch; age 19; single; laborer; born and living in Mercer Co, WV; son of _____ and Elizabeth
Welch; married on 28 Dec 1891 in Mercer Co, WV; Ruth J. Swim; age 18; born in ______; single;
living in Mercer Co, WV; daughter of M.F. and Mandy.
1. 1880 Census, Grayson Co, VA; Elk Creek District; taken on 19 Jun 1880; Page 366A;
Family #329/334.
Listed as Ruth J. Swaim; age 7; born in VA; in household of father, Michael F. Swaim.
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; "Ray Welch, Miner"; Article; Page
261; submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Welch, Box 75, Mavisdale, VA 24627.
3. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1891); Page 63; Line #10; WV Archives Website.
Silas Welch; age 19; single; laborer; born and living in Mercer Co, WV; son of _____ and Elizabeth
Welch; married on 28 Dec 1891 in Mercer Co, WV; Ruth J. Swim; age 18; born in ______; single;
living in Mercer Co, WV; daughter of M.F. and Mandy.
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"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 321; WV Archives Web Site.
Burns Keaton' age 24; born in Carter Co, KY; single; miner; living at Yukon, WV; "parents dead";
married on 31 Mar 1924 in Yukon, WV; Polly Dunford; age 17; born in McDowell Co, WV; single;
daughter of (father deceased) and Lizzie
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 321; WV Archives Web Site.
Burns Keaton' age 24; born in Carter Co, KY; single; miner; living at Yukon, WV; "parents dead";
married on 31 Mar 1924 in Yukon, WV; Polly Dunford; age 17; born in McDowell Co, WV; single;
daughter of (father deceased) and Lizzie
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1929); Page 36; WV Archives Web Site.
Earl Vencill; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Bartley, WV; son of Thomas
and Lena; married on 2 Nov 1929 in Welch, WV; Anna Welch; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV;
single; daughter of S?. and Ruth.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1929); Page 36; WV Archives Web Site.
Earl Vencill; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Bartley, WV; son of Thomas
and Lena; married on 2 Nov 1929 in Welch, WV; Anna Welch; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV;
single; daughter of S?. and Ruth.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Davy; taken on 9 Apr 1930; Page 85B;
Image 42 of 48; Family #35/60.
Listed as James Legato; age 22; born in WV; in household of father, Antiono Legato.
2. Cabell Co, WV; Marriage Register; Vol #__(1934); Page 192; Line #10; WV Archives Web Site.
James Legata; age 25; born and living in McDowell Co, WV; married on 21 Jun 1934 in Huntington,
WV; Miss Maxine Trent; age 21; born in Mercer Co, WV; living in Cabell Co, WV.
1. Cabell Co, WV; Marriage Register; Vol #__(1934); Page 192; Line #10; WV Archives Web Site.
James Legata; age 25; born and living in McDowell Co, WV; married on 21 Jun 1934 in Huntington,
WV; Miss Maxine Trent; age 21; born in Mercer Co, WV; living in Cabell Co, WV.
1. 1900 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Big Creek Township, taken on 21 Jun 1900, Page 84A, Family #203.
Listed as Bird Mitchell, age 6 months, in Nov 1899, in household of father, Daniel Mitchell.
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Big Creek District, taken on 7 May 1910, Page 205A, Family #318.
Listed as Bird Mitchell, age 10, born in WV, in household of father, Daniel Mitchell.
3. "WV Marriages, 1853-1970"; McDowell Co, WV; LDS Web Site.
Byrd Mitchell married Mary Rose in 1919 in McDowell Co, WV.
4. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Coalwood Road; taken on 7 May 1930;
Page 78B; Family #34/34.
Listed as Byrd Mitchell; age 29; born in WV; married at 18; timberman in coal mine;
head of household.
5, Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #2067; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Byrd Mitchell; age 56; born in Caretta, WV; widowed; one previous marriage; miner; living at
Warriormines, WV' son of Dan and Vica (Hicks) Mitchell; married on 26 Jan 1955 at Lebanon, VA;
Rosa Lea Beckner; maiden name Rose Dove; age 45; born in Gary, WV; widow; one previous
marriage; housekeeper; living at Avondale, WV; daughter of All and Paty (Holdren) Dove.
6. McDowell Co, WV Web Site; McDowell Cemeteries, "Big Creek II Cemetery",
www.mcdowellwv.com/cemeteries/bigcreekcem-2cem.html.
Byrd Mitchell; born on 20 Oct 1899; died on 6 Jun 1989; buried here.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Davy; taken on 7 Jan 1920; Page 237A;
Image 19 of 37; Family #192/195.
Listed as Rosa L. Dove; age 11; born in WV; in household of father, Allen R. Dove.
2, Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #2067; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Byrd Mitchell; age 56; born in Caretta, WV; widowed; one previous marriage; miner; living at
Warriormines, WV' son of Dan and Vica (Hicks) Mitchell; married on 26 Jan 1955 at Lebanon, VA;
Rosa Lea Beckner; maiden name Rose Dove; age 45; born in Gary, WV; widow; one previous
marriage; housekeeper; living at Avondale, WV; daughter of All and Paty (Holdren) Dove.
1. 1910 census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond Disrtict; taken on 22 Apr 1910; page 6A; Family #96/97.
Listed as Area C. Beckner; age 1; born in WV; in household of father, Alonzo C. Beckner.
2. 1920 Census, Franklin Co, VA; Maggodee District; taken on 23/26 Feb 1920; Page 163B;
Family #158.
Listed as Robert E. Beckner; age 11; born in VA; in household of father, Alonzo C. Beckner.
3. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Robert Eria Beckner
Gender: Male
Race: White
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Place: Montgomery, Virginia, USA
Birth Date: 14 Jul 1909
Residence Place: Bradshaw, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Employer: Self Employed
Weight: 135
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Black
Height: 5 10
Next of Kin: Rosie Beckner
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Robert Eria Beckner Self (Head)
Rosie Beckner Wife"
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Davy; taken on 7 Jan 1920; Page 237A;
Image 19 of 37; Family #192/195.
Listed as Rosa L. Dove; age 11; born in WV; in household of father, Allen R. Dove.
2, Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #2067; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Byrd Mitchell; age 56; born in Caretta, WV; widowed; one previous marriage; miner; living at
Warriormines, WV' son of Dan and Vica (Hicks) Mitchell; married on 26 Jan 1955 at Lebanon, VA;
Rosa Lea Beckner; maiden name Rose Dove; age 45; born in Gary, WV; widow; one previous
marriage; housekeeper; living at Avondale, WV; daughter of All and Paty (Holdren) Dove.
1. 1880 Census, Pittsylvania Co, VA; Chatham District; taken on 11/12 Jun 1880; Page 103C; Image 23
of 63; Family #207/208.
Listed as Thomas Stone; age 6; born in VA; Black; in household of father, Zack Stone.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1915); Page 335; WV Archives Web Site.
Tom Stone; age 36; born in Pittsylvania Co, VA; widowed; Black; miner; living at Northfork, WV;
son of Zack and Agnes; married on 8 Apr 1915 at Elk Ridge, WV; Ola Ross; age 32; born in
Campbell Co, VA; widow; daughter of _______ and Peggy Watson.
3. McDowell Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #1402; 12 Sep 1918; LDS Web Site.
Thomas Stone; age 42; born 20 May 1876; living at Northfork, WV; coal miner; Negro; Employed by
Elkridge Coal and Coke, Co, at Northfork, WV; nearest relative, Ola Stone, Northfork, WV; medium
height and build; Black eyes and Black hair.
4. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; North Fork District; Clark Precinct; taken on 11 Feb 1920; Page
153A; Image 23 of 46; Family #243/243.
Listed as Tom Stone; age 43; born in VA; married; Black; track layer in coal mine; head of household.
5. McDowell Co, WV; Death Registry; Vol #__(1924); Page 184; Line #8; WV Archives Web Site.
Tom Stone; age 47; born in VA; miner; Colored; son od Zack and Agness (Saunders) Stone;
died 9 Dec 1924 at Kyle, WV; due to slate fall.
6. "Welch Daily News"; Welch, WV; Tuesday; 9 Dec 1924; Page 1.
"Two Colored Men Killed and One White Man Seriously Injured in Fall of Slate"
"Dead Man Had Only Worked in Mine One Day and Were on Way Out When Accident Happened"
" Two Colored men were killed and a white man was seriously injured at 1 o'clock this morning in
the mine of the Lynchburg Coal and Coke Company at Kyle when they were caught under a fall of slate.
"The dead are:
Tom Stone, 45, Elk Ridge,
Bud Waller, 22, Elk Ridge"
"The injured man is J,L, Bowles, 23, white, motorman, who suffered a broken jaw, many scalp
wounds and body wounds.
"The two dead men began work in the mine only yesterday and were coming out after having
finished their second shift. Bowles was driving the motor.
"The fatal accident occurred in the main entry about 1,000 feet from the drift mouth. The entry
had been used for years and there was to indication of the roof working or slip. As mine officals said.
It was just one of those accidents which semed fated to happen around a coal mine.
"The vibrations caused by the motor apparently furnished the last needed impulse to cause the
slate fall, which occurred just as the motor, on which the three men were riding, pased under the heavy
mass. Many tons of slate fell.
"Stone and Waller were killed instantly and Bowles was rescued with difficulty. He was immediately
brought to Grace hospital where he is being given every attention. His condition is serious, but his
recovery is hoped for.
"After working yesterday in the mine Stone and Waller returned for the night shift. When they had
finished this they got on the electric motor which Bowles was driving and started fro the drift mouth"
7. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
Tweety; 6 Jul 2015.
Tom Stone; born in 1878 in VA; died 9 Dec 1924 at Kyle, McDowell Co, WV; buried here; no grave
marker photo shown; death registry and parital newspaper account are posted.
(There are no records located that state he was buried here)
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1915); Page 335; WV Archives Web Site.
Tom Stone; age 36; born in Pittsylvania Co, VA; widowed; Black; miner; living at Northfork, WV;
son of Zack and Agnes; married on 8 Apr 1915 at Elk Ridge, WV; Ola Ross; age 32; born in
Campbell Co, VA; widow; daughter of _______ and Peggy Watson.
2. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; North Fork District; Clark Precinct; taken on 11 Feb 1920; Page
153A; Image 23 of 46; Family #243/243.
Listed as Ola Stone; age 37; born in VA; married; Black; in household of husband, Tom Stone.
3. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1927); Page 51; WV Archives Web Site.
Charlie Green; age 52; born in VA; widowed; Colored; living at Maybeury, WV; married on 3 Aug
1927 at Princeton, WV; Ola Stone; age 46; born in VA; widow; Colored; living at Pocahontas, VA.
4. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #14245; WV Archives Web Site.
Ola Green; age 44 yrs, 0 mons, 2 days; born 25 Oct 1885 in Charlotte Co, VA; widow of C.T. Greene;
maiden name, Ola Watson; no race specified; keeping house; daughter of _______ and Peggy
Watson; died 27 Oct 1929 at Switchback, WV; due to acute dilitaion of the heart; buried 29 Oct 1929
in Pocahontas, VA; informant, Clara English, Keystone, WV.