1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1962); Page 2; WV Archives Web Site.
Gene Arden Vance; age 25; born in Capels, WV; divorced; living at Hanover, WV; son of
William W. and Bertha Vance; married on 3 Dec 1962 at Pineville, WV; June Carol Steele;
age 21; born in Iaeger, WV; single; living at Ikes Fork, WV; daughter of David and Virginia Steele.
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #77 047655; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Gene A. Vance; age 40; born 16 May 1937 at Capels, WV; divorced; this was his 4th marriage;
4 yrs college education; living at PO Box 549, Oceana, WV; son of Bill and Bertha (Lockhart)
Vance; married on 21 Oct 1977 at Lebanon, VA; Myrtle V. Hendrick; maiden name Cordel;
age 45; born 12 Nov 1931 at Rista, WV; widow; this was her 2nd marriage; 4hrs HS education;
living at Box 128, Pineville, WV; daughter of Albert and Bessie (Short) Cordle.
3. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #80-002813; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Gene Arden Vance; age 42; born 16 May 1937 at Capels, WV; 4 yrs college education; divorced;
this was his 5th marriage; living at Box 839, Pineville, WV; son of William and Bertha (Lockhart)
Vance; married on 2 Jan 1980 i Lebanon, VA; Casperette Griffith; maiden name West; age 44;
born 18 Oct 1935 in Big Branch, WV; widow; this was her 2nd marriage; 12 th grade education;
living at Box 51, Oceana, WV; daughter of DeeRoy and Clara (Winkler) West.
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Gene Arden Vance
[Gene Vance]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 16 May 1937
Birth Place: Capels McDow, West Virginia
Death Date: Apr 1987
Father: William E Vance
Mother: Bertha C Lockhart
SSN: 236520289
Notes: Aug 1951: Name listed as GENE ARDEN VANCE; 04 Jan 1988: Name listed as GENE VANCE"
5. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Gene Vance
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 16 May 1937
Death Date: 17 Apr 1987
SSN: 236520289
Enlistment Date 1: 7 Jul 1954
Release Date 1: 5 Jul 1957
Branch 2: ARMY
Enlistment Date 2: 7 Apr 1959
Release Date 2: 31 May 1976"
6. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Gene Vance
SSN: 236-52-0289
BORN: 16 May 1937
Last Benefit: 24870, Oceana, Wyoming, West Virginia, United States of America
Died: Apr 1987
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (1951)"
7. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV;
submitted by B. Walls; 7 Apr 2014.
Gene A. Vance; born 16 May 1937; died 17 Apr 1987; buried here; double headstone photo shown
with wife Casperetta G. Vance; "MARRIED JAN. 2, 2980'; grave marker photo slso shown; "MAJ *
US ARMY * VIETNAM".
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1962); Page 2; WV Archives Web Site.
Gene Arden Vance; age 25; born in Capels, WV; divorced; living at Hanover, WV; son of
William W. and Bertha Vance; married on 3 dec 1962 at Pineville, WV; June Carol Steele;
age 21; born in Iaeger, WV; single; living at Ikes Fork, WV; daughter of David and Virginia Steele.
1. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Erik Lander; 20 May 2002.
"SSGT Gene Arden Vance Jr.
Birth 30 Nov 1964
Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, USA
Death 19 May 2002 (aged 37)
Paktika, Afghanistan
Burial
East Oak Grove Cemetery
Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 6429392"Additional Information Posted:
"United States Army Staff Sergeant. Killed in action in Afghanistan during Operation enduring Freedom. Assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group, West Virginia National Guard. The 6-foot, 4-inch Green Beret was a member of the Kenova, West Virginia-based 19th Special Forces Unit, spoke Farsi, won a Bronze Star for valor in 1993, and canceled his honeymoon when his unit was put on alert in December. But he also enjoyed the music of Dick Dale and the Grateful Dead, rafting, hiking and cycling. Sgt. Vance Jr. was a 10-year (98G MI, SF SOT-A) veteran of the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) West Virginia National Guard. He is survived by his wife Lisa and a daughter. Vance was taking part in Operation Mountain Lion, designed to locate, isolate and destroy al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in eastern Afghanistan when his unit, the 19th Special Forces Group, came under heavy fire. He was shot in a mountainous Shkin area in the east and died in surgery. Vance was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant."
2. U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Gene Arden Vance Jr.
Gender: Male
Death Age: 38
Birth Date: 30 Nov 1963
Birth Place: Frankfort, Germany
Residence Place: Morgantown, W. VA
Death Date: 19 May 2002
Death Place: Skhin, Afghanistan
Burial Date: 28 May
Burial Place: Dorsey Avenue
Father:
Gene Arden Vance
Mother:
June Steele Vance
Spouse:
Lisa Selmon Vance
Child:
Amber Nicole Vance
Siblings:
William David Vance
Jamie Vance-Minc"
3. "Metro News"; Morgantown, WV; Posted Artical"
"Gene Vance Jr. Day set for Saturday in Morgantown
By Mike Nolting
May 20, 2022 - 11:29 am"MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The life of the first West Virginia National Guard member to die in the War on Terror will be remembered Saturday in Morgantown with the 11th annual Gene Vance Jr. Day.
Gene Vance Jr"Vance, who grew up in Wyoming County but lived in Morgantown, died May 18, 2002. while deployed in Afghanistan in the early days Operation Enduring Freedom. He came under fire while on patrol. He was 39-years-old.
"“He saved the lives of 11 Afghans and two American soldiers and was critically wounded,” Mike Minc, founder of the Vance Jr. Foundation, said this week on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town.” “They were on a mission to find Bin Laden after that terrible attack on 9/11...."
1. 1930 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Oceana District, taken on 19 Apr 1930, Page 198B, Family #222.
Listed as Russell Lewis, age 15, born in WV, in household of father, William W. Lewis.
2. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1944); Page 443; WV Archives Web Site.
Robert R. Lewis; age 25; born and living in Oceana, WV' single; son of W.W. and Alma (Elkins)
Lewis; married on 22 Sep 1944 at Oceana, WV; Ruth Elizabeth Jones; age 21; born and living at
Sabine, WV; single; daughter of R.G. and Susie Jone.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1944); Page 443; WV Archives Web Site.
Robert R. Lewis; age 25; born and living in Oceana, WV' single; son of W.W. and Alma (Elkins)
Lewis; married on 22 Sep 1944 at Oceana, WV; Ruth Elizabeth Jones; age 21; born and living at
Sabine, WV; single; daughter of R.G. and Susie Jone.
2. Stafford Funeral Home; Oceana, WV; Posted Obit.
"Ruth Elizabeth Jones Lewis, 91, of Oceana, WV passed away on Monday November 27, 2017 at her
home. She was born on October 29, 1926 a daughter of the late Ross and Elma Ann Canaberry Jones.
Ruth was a member of the Joseph Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death
by her husband Russell Robert Lewis; two daughters Judith Ann Lewis and Brenda Kay Lewis; two
sons James Robert Lewis, Sr. and Charles Steve Brunty; a brother-in-law Charles Parsons; three
brothers Leon Jones, James L. Jones and John D. Jones; a sister Zelda Elkins; and a special friend
Charles Ross Brunty. Survivors include a son James Robert "Bobby" (Shadow) Lewis, Jr. of Oceana; a
sister Gloria Ann Parsons of Canton, OH; five grandchildren Robin (Richard) Hatfield, Kristen Castle,
Kelly (Brett) Baker, Steven Brunty and Charles (Lydia) Brunty; ten great grandchildren Ashley, Kylun,
Jaxson, Braxton, Auden, Brently, Draven, Jacob, Able and Hailey; special friends Stephanie, Nikki and
Araya; her caretaker Sheryl Hope Lucas and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services
will be held at Noon on Tuesday December 5, 2017 at Joseph Baptist Church, Lynco, WV with Pastor
William Cook and Rev. Jeffery Elkins officiating. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Gardens,
Beckley, WV. ..."
1. 1900 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 21 Jun 1900; Page 250A; Image
23 of 65; Family #200/200.
Listed as Thomas Powell; age 7; born in Jul 1892 in WV; in household of father, Daniel F. Powell.
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 3 May 1910; Page 89B; Image 21
of 31; Family #183/185.
Listed as Thomas Powell; age 17; born in WV; in household of father, Daniel Powell.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1938); Page 445; WV Archives Web Site.
Thomas Powell; born 27 Jul 1892 in McDowell Co, WV; at Lex, WV; son of Elizabeth and Daniel;
married on 15 Dec 1938 at Lex, WV; Ethel Roberts; born in _____, 1913 in McDowell Co, WV; living
at Rockridge, WV; daughter of Hannah and Harve.
4. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 27 Aor 1940; Page 1163A;
Image 27 of 64; Household #224.
Listed as Tom Powell; age 48; born in WV; married; 8th grade education; lived in same on 1 Apr 1935;
farmer; head of household.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 27 Aor 1940; Page 1163A;
Image 27 of 64; Household #224.
Listed as Dan Powell; age 11; born in WV; 3rd grade education; attending school; lived in same on 1 Apr 1935;
in household of father, Thomas Powell.
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #37421; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Charlie Jackson Vance; age 23; born in Tazewell Co, VA; single; no previous marriage;
miner; living at Harman, VA; son of Robert and Susie (Smith) Vance; married on 18 Oct 1939
at Grundy, VA; Magdalene Christian; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; no previous
marriage; living at Harman, VA; daughter of Riley and Fannie (Carter) Christian.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'68 016817; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Charlie Jackson Vance; age 52 yrs, 1 mon, 29 days; born 5 Sep 1916 in VA; married; husband
of Magdalene Christian; coal miner; SS#220-09-1034; living at Big Sandy, WV; son of Robert
and Susie (Smith) Vance; died 4 Nov 1968 on Rt 16, Welch, WV; due to acute coronary thrombosis;
buried 7 Nov 1968 in Iaeger memorial, Roderfield, WV.
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV;
submitted by Gathering Roots; 28 Jun 2013; headstone photo added by B. Walls.
Charles Jackson :Charlie" Vance; born 5 Sep 1916; died 4 Nov 1968; buried here; headstone
photo shown; "VIRGINIA * S1 USNR * WORLD WAR II".
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #37421; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Charlie Jackson Vance; age 23; born in Tazewell Co, VA; single; no previous marriage;
miner; living at Harman, VA; son of Robert and Susie (Smith) Vance; married on 18 Oct 1939
at Grundy, VA; Magdalene Christian; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; no previous
marriage; living at Harman, VA; daughter of Riley and Fannie (Carter) Christian.
2. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-2017; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Mary Magdaline Vance Combs
Gender: Female
Death Age: 90
Birth Date: 26 Feb 1920
Birth Place: Roderfield, McDowell, West Virginia, USA
Residence Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Death Date: 28 Jun 2010
Death Place: Tazewell, Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Obituary Date: 24 Aug 2010
Source Title: Sheboygan Press
Source Location: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Spouse: Charlie Vance
Children: Barbara Lambert of Big Sandy, WV; Charles Vance and Richard Vance; John Vance and wife, Linda of Riverview, MI; Margaret Andrews and Sandra Mullins
Parents: John Wiley Christian
Brothers and Sisters: Claude Christian, Fred Christian, and John Wiley; Dolly Minton, and June Dority"
3. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Mary M. Combs
Last Residence:
48193 Wyandotte, Wayne, Michigan
BORN: 26 Feb 1920
Died: 28 Jun 2010
State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (Before 1951)"
4. United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries; LDS Web Site.
"Deceased
Name Mrs Mary Magdaline Vance Combs
Event Type Obituary
Event Date 01 Jul 2010
Event Place West Virginia, United States
Residence Place Tazewell, Virginia
Gender Female
Age 90
Birth Date 26 Feb 1920
Birthplace Roderfield, West Virginia
Death Date 28 Jun 2010
Death Place Tazewell, Virginia
Burial Place Bluefield, Virginia
Newspaper Bluefield Daily Telegraph"
"Spouse and Children
Richard Vance Son Male
Margaret Andrews Daughter Female
Charlie Vance Husband Male
Reverend Ova Combs Husband Male
Sandra Mullins Daughter Female
Charles Vance Son Male
John Vance Son Male
Barbara Lambert Daughter Female
Parents and Siblings
John Wiley Christian Father Male
Dolly Minton Sister Female
June Dority Sister Female
Claude Christian Brother Male
Fred Christian Brother Male
John Wiley Christian Or J W Brother Male
Extended Family
Angela Granddaughter Female
Michael Grandson Male
Others on Record
Reverend Alex Alley Nonrelative Male
Linda Vance DaughterInLaw Female"
1. Harlan Co, KY; Death Certificate #997; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Charlie Lee Vance; age 11 mons, 25 days; born 25 Aug 1941 in Roderfield, WV;
single; living at Harlan, KY; son of Charlie Vance, born in Red Ash, VA, and Magdalene
Christian, born in Fall River, WV; died 19 Aug 1942 in Benham Hospital, Benham, KY;
due to broncho-pneumonia; buried 21 Aug 1942 in Roderfield, WV; informant, Charlie
Vance, Cumberland, KY.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Delayed Birth Registry; Vol #__(1907); Page 39; WV Archives Web Site.
Virgil Garnet Clay; born 9 Sep 1907 at Keyrock, WV; parents, Robert Lee and Mary Elizabeth
(Pendry) Clay.
2. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Slab Fork District, taken on 21 Apr 1910, Page 283A, Family #64.
Listed as Virgil G. Clay, age 2, born in WV, in household of father, Robert L. Clay.
3. 1920 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Slab Fork District, taken on 2/3 Feb 1920, Page 268A, Family #36.
Listed as Virgil Clay, age 12, born in WV, in household of father, Robert L. Clay.
4. 1930 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Slab Fork District, taken on 9 Apr 1930, Page 254A, Family #142.
Listed as Virgil Clay, age 22, born in WV, in household of father, Robert L. Clay.
5. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1927); Page 56; WV Archives Web Site.
Virgil Clay; age 21; born in WV; single; living at maben, WV; married on 16 dec 1927 at Princeton, WV;
Lessie Tilley; age 18; born in WV; single; living at Maben, WV.
6. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1938); Page 362; WV Archives Web Site.
Virgil Clay; age 30; born in Wyoming Co, WV; divorced; living at Maben, WV; son of Lee and Molly
Clay; married on 16 Apr 1938 at New Richmond, WV; Bessie Hutchinson; age 18; born in Wyoming
Co, WV; single; living at maben, WV; daughter of Ed and Otie Lee Hutchinson.
1. "Wyoming County WV Heritage", WGS 1995, "Edward Gordon Hutchinson" article, page 120.
2. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1938); Page 362; WV Archives Web Site.
Virgil Clay; age 30; born in Wyoming Co, WV; divorced; living at Maben, WV; son of Lee and Molly
Clay; married on 16 Apr 1938 at New Richmond, WV; Bessie Hutchinson; age 18; born in Wyoming
Co, WV; single; living at maben, WV; daughter of Ed and Otie Lee Hutchinson.