1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Bartlett (sic, Bartley); taken on 1 May 1930;
Page 75A; Image 88 of 89; Family #2/2.
Listed as Homer Spence; age 9; born in WV; in household of father, John Spence.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page 446; WV Archives Web Site.
Homer Spence; age 24; born at Coalwood, WV; single; living at iaeger, WV; married on 24 dec 1945
at Iaeger, WV; Ethel Me Billips; age 18; born in Pocahontas, VA; single; living at Iaeger, WV; with consent
of Nannie Billips, mother of Ethel Mae Billips.
3. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #82-005057; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Homer Spence; age 61; born 27 Jan 1921 in WV; widowed; thus was his 2nd marriage; last marriage
ended 13 Oct 1978; 8th grade education; living at Box 633, Iaeger, WV; son of John B. and Mollie Jane
(Lambert) Spence; married on 11 feb 1982 in Buchanan Co, VA; Wilma Jean Roberts, maiden name
Blankenship;age 37; born 22 Jan 1944 in VA; divorced; this was her 2nd marriage; first marrige ended
10 Nov 1981; 8th grade education; living at Box 633, Iaeger, WV; daughter of Conley and Pauline
(Hurley) Blankenship.
4. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #83-043573; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Homer Spence; age 62; born 27 Jan 1921 in WV; divorced; this was his 3rd marriage; last marriage
ended 8 Apr 1982; 8th grade education; living at PO Box 633, Iaeger, WV; son of John B. and Mollie
(Lambert) Spence; married on 21 Sep 1983 at Grundy, VA; Edith Marie Short, maiden name Dawson;
age 52; born 23 Aug 1931 in WV; widow; this was her 2nd marriage; last marriage ended 25 Feb 1978;
8th grade education; living at General Delivery, Raysal, WV; daughter of Flem ans Lottie Jane (Crigger)
Dawson.
5. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 29 Dec 2013.
Homer Spence; born 27 Jan 1921; died 7 Apr 2001; buried here; headstone and two grave markers
photos shown; "CPL US ARMY * WORLD WAR II * PURPLE HEART".
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #83-043573; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Homer Spence; age 62; born 27 Jan 1921 in WV; divorced; this was his 3rd marriage; last marriage
ended 8 Apr 1982; 8th grade education; living at PO Box 633, Iaeger, WV; son of John B. and Mollie
(Lambert) Spence; married on 21 Sep 1983 at Grundy, VA; Edith Marie Short, maiden name Dawson;
age 52; born 23 Aug 1931 in WV; widow; this was her 2nd marriage; last marriage ended 25 Feb 1978;
8th grade education; living at General Delivery, Raysal, WV; daughter of Flem ans Lottie Jane (Crigger)
Dawson.
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #83-043573; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Homer Spence; age 62; born 27 Jan 1921 in WV; divorced; this was his 3rd marriage; last marriage
ended 8 Apr 1982; 8th grade education; living at PO Box 633, Iaeger, WV; son of John B. and Mollie
(Lambert) Spence; married on 21 Sep 1983 at Grundy, VA; Edith Marie Short, maiden name Dawson;
age 52; born 23 Aug 1931 in WV; widow; this was her 2nd marriage; last marriage ended 25 Feb 1978;
8th grade education; living at General Delivery, Raysal, WV; daughter of Flem ans Lottie Jane (Crigger)
Dawson.
1. 1900 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, page 266A, Family #482.
Listed as John M. Lester, age 17, born in Dec 1882 in WV, in household of
father, James H. Lester.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1904); Page 318; WV Archives Web Site.
Merdie lester; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; farmer; living at Panther, WV; son of
James H. and Dicey; married on 10 Jun 1904 at Alnwick, WV; Clemie Cline; age 18; born in
McDowell Co, WV; single; daughter of John L. and Mary.
3. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Mohawk; taken on 15 Jan 1920; Page 266A; Image
27 of 43; Family #283/287.
Listed as M. Lester; age 39; born in WV; married; farmer; head of household.
4. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 21 Apr 1930; Page 211B; Image 21 of 42;
Family #163/164.
Listed as Merda Lester; age 46; born in WV; married at 21; farmer; head of household.
5. 1940 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Wyoming Precinct; Bull Creek; E.D. 24-58; taken on
22 Jul 1940; Page 1132B; Image 25 of 60; Household #187.
Listed as Murdie Lester; age 57; born in WV; married; 5th grade education; lived in same house on 1 Apr
1935; no listed occupation; head of household.
1. 1900 Census, Mingo Co, WV; Stafford District; taken on 20 Jun 1900; Page 239B; Family #140.
Listed as Clemie Cline; age 12; born in WV in Nov 1887; in household of father, James L. Cline.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1904); Page 318; WV Archives Web Site.
Merdie lester; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; farmer; living at Panther, WV; son of
James H. and Dicey; married on 10 Jun 1904 at Alnwick, WV; Clemie Cline; age 18; born in
McDowell Co, WV; single; daughter of John L. and Mary.
3. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Mohawk; taken on 15 Jan 1920; Page 266A; Image
27 of 43; Family #283/287.
Listed as Clemma Lester; age 36; born in WV; married; in household of husband, John M. Lester.
4. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 21 Apr 1930; Page 211B; Image 21 of 42;
Family #163/164.
Listed as Clemma Lester; age 43; born in WV; married at 18; in household of husband, John M. Lester.
5. 1940 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Wyoming Precinct; Bull Creek; E.D. 24-58; taken on
22 Jul 1940; Page 1132B; Image 25 of 60; Household #187.
Listed as Clema Lester; age 56; born in WV; married; 5th grade education; lived in same house on 1 Apr
1935; in household of husband, John M. Lester.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Mohawk; taken on 15 Jan 1920; Page 266A; Image
27 of 43; Family #283/287.
Listed as Ellen Lester; age 4 yrs; born in WV; in household of father, John M. Lester.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 21 Apr 1930; Page 211B; Image 21 of 42;
Family #163/164.
Listed as Charles Lester; age 9; born in WV; in household of father, John M. Lester.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1947); Page 255; WV Archives Web Site.
William R. Shaw; age 24; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; living at Iaeger, WV; married on
21 Aug 1947 at Roderfield, WV; Garnet Lambert; age 18; born at Vanwood, WV; single; living at
Iaeger, WV; with consent of Iva Lambert, mother of Garnet Lambert.
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Modfreak; 21 Mar 2014.
" William Shaw Jr.
Birth 7 Jun 1923
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 29 May 1998 (aged 74)
Iaeger, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial
Mullins Cemetery on Crane Ridge
Avondale, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 126695204"
1. 1930 Census, Raleigh Co, WV, Slab Fork District, taken on 4 Apr 1930, Page 229B, Family #40.
Listed as Garnett Lambert, age 9 months, born in WV, in household of father, Walter B. Lambert.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1947); Page 255; WV Archives Web Site.
William R. Shaw; age 24; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; living at Iaeger, WV; married on
21 Aug 1947 at Roderfield, WV; Garnet Lambert; age 18; born at Vanwood, WV; single; living at
Iaeger, WV; with consent of Iva Lambert, mother of Garnet Lambert.
3. "The Register-Herald"; Beckley, WV; Thursday, 14 Jan 2010; Newspaper Obit."IAEGER -- Garnet Lambert Shaw, 80, of Iaeger, W.Va., walked with the angels to take her place next to her loving husband, William Shaw, "Jr.," January 11, 2010, at Princeton Hospital, Princeton, W.Va.
Born July 22, 1929, in Van, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Walter B. and Iva Mae Colley Lambert."In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by three sisters, Nina Gregory Ross, Evelyn Perry, and Phyllis Ann Laflamme, and two brothers, Paul and W.B. Lambert.
"Survivors include her children (twins), son, Roy Eugene Shaw and wife Sandy of Iaeger, and daughter Norma Jean Shaw Tindle and husband Jack of Winchester, Va.; three sisters, her twin, Charlotte Murphy Huffman and Mollie Dawson both of Beckley and Maxine Bowles of Iaeger; and two brothers, Ray Lambert of Beckley, and JC Lambert of Oak Hill. The precious gift of grandchildren was the highlight of her life. Erika Rene Shaw Francis and husband Roy of Aurora, Ill., and William Jack "BJ" of Winchester, Va. Adding to the joy, and more smiles than she could count, was a great-grandson, Elijah Maddex. Her grandson "BJ" had the honor of telling his grandmother of her newest great-grandson, Finn Livingston.
"Garnet was mother, mommy, Maw Maw, grandma, sister, and a friend. She will be missed by many. She loved and was so proud of her state, good ole West Virginia. She had many blessings throughout her life including her neighbor, June Church Vance and husband Van. She loved life to the fullest and was well known for her sense of humor, always making others laugh, and she had a generous heart when it come to the needs of others.
"Funeral services will be Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 11 o'clock with Pastor Ed Watts officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger. Burial will follow in the Mullins Cemetery on Crane Ridge at Ritter, near Avondale. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers..."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 321; WV Archives Web Site.
James Watkins; age 40; born in Charlotte Co, VA; single; Colored; miner; living at Litwar, WV; son of
Liomous and Viola; married on 29 Mar 1937 at Welch, WV; Hattie Bell Knox; age 27; born in
Spartanburg Co, SC; single; Colored; living at Litward; daughter of Robert and Caldonia.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 15 Apr 1940; Page
1096A; Image 31 of 74; Household #259.
Listed as James F. Watkins; age 43; born in VA; married; Negro; 4th grade education; lived in same
place on 1 Apr 1935; coal miner; head of household.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #12101; WV Archives Web Site.
James F. Watkins; age 44 yrs, 1 mon, 16 days; born 10 Aug 1896 in Frankfort, KY; married; husband of
Hattie Bell Watkins; age 29; coal miner; Colored; served in WW I; SS #236-07-3632; living at Litwar, WV;
son of unknown father and Viola Douglas; died 26 Sep 1940 at Litwar, WV; due to stab wound of chest
and stomach; at home; homicide; buried 29 Sep 1940 in Roderfield Cemetery, Roderfield, WV; informant,
Hattie Bell Watkins, Litwar, WV.
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 21 Jul 2014.
James F. Watkins; born unknown; died 26 Sep 1940; buried here; headstone photo shown; "WEST VIRGINIA *
PVT US ARMY".
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 15 Apr 1940; Page
1096A; Image 31 of 74; Household #259.
Listed as Ruth M. Watkins; age 15; born in NC; Negro; 1 yr HS education; not attending school;
lived in Winston Salem, Forsyth Co, NC on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, James F. Watkins.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 15 Apr 1940; Page
1096A; Image 31 of 74; Household #259.
Listed as Ardra Watkins; age 10; born in NC; Negro; 2nd grade education; attending school; lived in
Winston Salem, Forsyth Co, NC on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, James F. Watkins.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 321; WV Archives Web Site.
James Watkins; age 40; born in Charlotte Co, VA; single; Colored; miner; living at Litwar, WV; son of
Liomous and Viola; married on 29 Mar 1937 at Welch, WV; Hattie Bell Knox; age 27; born in
Spartanburg Co, SC; single; Colored; living at Litward; daughter of Robert and Caldonia.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 15 Apr 1940; Page
1096A; Image 31 of 74; Household #259.
Listed as James F. Watkins; age 43; born in VA; married; Negro; 4th grade education; lived in same
place on 1 Apr 1935; coal miner; head of household.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #12101; WV Archives Web Site.
James F. Watkins; age 44 yrs, 1 mon, 16 days; born 10 Aug 1896 in Frankfort, KY; married; husband of
Hattie Bell Watkins; age 29; coal miner; Colored; served in WW I; SS #236-07-3632; living at Litwar, WV;
son of unknown father and Viola Douglas; died 26 Sep 1940 at Litwar, WV; due to stab wound of chest
and stomach; at home; homicide; buried 29 Sep 1940 in Roderfield Cemetery, Roderfield, WV; informant,
Hattie Bell Watkins, Litwar, WV.
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 21 Jul 2014.
James F. Watkins; born unknown; died 26 Sep 1940; buried here; headstone photo shown; "WEST VIRGINIA *
PVT US ARMY".
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 321; WV Archives Web Site.
James Watkins; age 40; born in Charlotte Co, VA; single; Colored; miner; living at Litwar, WV; son of
Liomous and Viola; married on 29 Mar 1937 at Welch, WV; Hattie Bell Knox; age 27; born in
Spartanburg Co, SC; single; Colored; living at Litward; daughter of Robert and Caldonia.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 15 Apr 1940; Page
1096A; Image 31 of 74; Household #259.
Listed as Hattie B. Watkins; age 30; born in SC; married; Negro; 3rd grade education; lived in same
place on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, James F. Watkins.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Avondale; taken on 3 Mar 1920; Page 244A;
Image 18 of 35; Family #190/194.
Listed as Elizabeth Barrett; age 3 mns; born in WV; in household of father, Raleigh Barrett.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; taken on 26 Apr 1930; Page 221B;
Image 58 of 75; Family #521/538.
Listed as Elizabeth Barrett; age 10; born in WV; in household of father, William Raleigh Barrett.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'67 008495; WV Arvices Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Mary Elizabeth Warner; age 47; born 19 Aep 1919 at Lex, WV; married; housewife; living at New
Castle, DL; daughter of W.R. and Florence (Ferrell) Barrett; died 3 Jun 1967 in Grace Hospital,
Welch, WV; due to secondary anemia chronic lymphatic leukemia; buried 6 Jun 1967 in Iaeger
Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, WV.
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 9 Dec 2013.
Mary Elizabeth Warner; born 18 Sep 1919; died 3 Jun 1967; buried hre; headstone photo shown'
"MOTHER".
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, taken on 24 Apr 1930, Page 215A,
Family #225.
Listed as Hestel Vance, age 5, born in WV, in household of father, David D. Vance.
2. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #24499; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Hestel Vance; age 24; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; truck driver; no previous marriage; living in Jolo, WV;
son of David D. and Martha J. (Horn) Vance; married on 2 Aug 1947 at Grundy, VA; Bessie Me Payne, maiden
name Blankenship; age 34; born in McDowell Co, WV; widow; married twice before; housework; living at Jolo,
WV; daughter of Wallis and Lizzie (Adair) Blankenship.
3. "Bluefield Daily Telegraph"; Bluefield, WV; 12 Aug 2012; Newspaper Obit.
"PAYNESVILLE — Hestel Vance, 88 years old, of Paynesville, W.Va., passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2012 at Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, Ky. surrounded by family."He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He was also a retired coal miner, member of the UMWA, an Army Veteran of W.W.II, and a member of the American Legion Post 175 where he served on burial detail. Hestel loved feeding the hummingbirds and squirrels and riding his 4-wheeler.
"Born Feb. 22, 1924 in Paynesville, W.Va., Hestel was the son of the late Dave and Martha (Horn) Vance. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant grandson; son-in-law, Gerald D. Mullins; two brothers, Virgil and Edgel; and two sisters, Zona Vance and Ida Payne.
"Survivors include his loving wife of almost 53 years, Floria; his daughter, Latella Mullins and his grandson, Braxton Mullins all of Paynesville, W.Va. Also three very special girls who called him Pop-Paw: Rebecca Key of Anawalt, W.Va., Ashley Roberts-Hensley of Hurley, Va., and Brooklyn Matney of Avondale, W.Va.; a special niece, Lynn Roberts and husband, Ralph Roberts of Paynesville, W.Va.; three brothers, Homer (Van) and June Vance of Iaeger, W.Va., Ernest Vance of Paynesville, W.Va., and Kermit and Marlene Vance of Bradshaw, W.Va.; three sisters, Lona and Thurman Payne, Roma Payne, and Oakie and Bob Blevins all of Paynesville, W.Va.; and lots of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Hestel had been the Vance Family Patriarch for the past several years.
"Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 1 p.m. at The Bradshaw Mountain Community Church, Paynesville, W.Va. with Hobert Kennedy, Bob Blevins and Travis Hyatt officiating. Burial will follow in the Vance Cemetery at Paynesville, W.Va..."
4. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Douglas and Pamela Mullins"; Article; Page 215; submitted by Joyce Reed,
1581 Maiden Woods Circle. Maiden, NC 28650.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Iaeger; Johnnycale Road; taken 12 Mar 1920;
Page 247B; Image 25 of 35; Family #248/252.
Listed as Bessie Blankenship; age 5; born in WV; in household of father, John W. Blankenship.
2. "The Heritage of McDowell Co, WV...", McDowell Co Historical Society, 1995
"Moses Blankenship" article, page 102; submitted by Robert G. Tedder, III, Oneida, TN.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1928); Page 285; WV Archives Web Site.
Hobert Branscome; age 21; born in Carroll Co, VA; single; miner; living at Bartley, WV; son
of Hobert and Ada; married on 20 Sep 1928 at Welch, WV; Bessie Blankenship; age 17; born
in McDowell Co, WV; single; living at Bartley, WV; daughter of J.W. and Lizzie.
4. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1942); Page 348; WV Archives Web Site.
Robert Charles Payne; age 21; born and living at Bradshaw, WV; single; married on 5 Jun 1942
at Bradshaw, WV; Bessie May Branscome; age 32; born at Bartley, WV; widow, living at Jolo, WV.
5. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #24499; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Hestel Vance; age 24; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; truck driver; no previous marriage; living in Jolo, WV;
son of David D. and Martha J. (Horn) Vance; married on 2 Aug 1947 at Grundy, VA; Bessie Me Payne, maiden
name Blankenship; age 34; born in McDowell Co, WV; widow; married twice before; housework; living at Jolo,
WV; daughter of Wallis and Lizzie (Adair) Blankenship.
6. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Bessie M. Vance
SSN: 236-58-0791
Last Residence:
24850 Jolo, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
BORN: 14 Jan 1911
Died: 19 Feb 1989
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (1954)"
7. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Bessie Mae Vance
[Bessie M Vance]
[Bessie Mae Blankenship]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 14 Jan 1911
Birth Place: Bartley Med, West Virginia
[Avondale Mcd??, West Virginia]
Death Date: 19 Feb 1989
Father: J W Blankenship
Mother: Elizabeth Addair
SSN: 236580791
Notes: May 1955: Name listed as BESSIE MAE VANCE; 30 Mar 1977: Name listed as BESSIE M VANCE"
8. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV;
submitted by B. Walls; 24 Feb 2014.
Bessie Mae Branscome Vance; born 14 Jan 1911; died 18 (sic 19) Feb 1989; buried here; grave
marker photo shown; "MARRIED SEPT 20, 1928 * MEETING YOU IN HEAVEN".