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".
1. United States Public Records, 1970-2009; LDS Web Site.
"Name Harry S Ward
Residence Date 13 Jul 2001
Residence Place Squire, West Virginia, United States
Birth Date 04 Dec 1939
Address Squire, West Virginia 24884
Address Date 13 Jul 2001
2nd Address Bristol, Tennessee 37620
2nd Address Date 01 Jan 1998-13 Jul 2001
3rd Address Princeton, West Virginia 24740
3rd Address Date 01 Mar 1995
Record Number 304434003"
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; (No Cemetery Listed); submitted by Bob Nuchols; 22 Jan 2016.
Harry Spahr Ward; born 4 Dec 1939 in McDowell Co, WV; died 21 Jan 2016 in Bristol,
Sullivan Co, TN.
"Harry Spar Ward, 76, of Bristol, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Ward was born on December 4, 1939 in McDowell County, West Virginia, a son of the late Kyle Clifton Ward and Mary Frances Billings Ward."He worked in construction as a general laborer.
"A Memorial Service will be held in Maryland at a later date.
"Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1950); Page 356; WV Archives Web Site.
Robert Franklin Fain; 27; born and living at Premier, WV; single; married on 11 Nov 1950 at
Roderfield, WV; Mildred Elizabeth Jarrett; age 17; born at Thorpe, WV; single; living at Premier, WV;
with consent of Charlie M. Jarrett, father of Mildred Elizabeth Jarrett and Ruby Jarrett, step-mother
of Mildred Elizabeth Jarrett.
2. United States Public Records, 1970-2009; LDS Web Site.
"Name Mildred Ward
Residence Date 01 Jan 1998
Residence Place Welch, West Virginia, United States
Birth Date 20 Oct 1933
Address Welch, West Virginia 24801
Record Number 787395358"
3. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Mildred Elizabeth Jarrett
[Mildred Eli Fain]
[Mildred Fain]
[Mildred Ward]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 20 Oct 1933
Birth Place: Thorpe McDow, West Virginia
Death Date: 4 Dec 1993
Father: Charles M Jarrett
Mother: Mamie L Addair
SSN: 236486987
Notes: Apr 1950: Name listed as MILDRED ELIZABETH JARRETT; Jun 1969: Name listed as MILDRED ELI FAIN; Jul 1969: Name listed as MILDRED ELIZABETH FAIN; 11 Aug 1975: Name listed as MILDRED E WARD"
4. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Mildred E Ward
BORN: 20 Oct 1933
Died: 25 Oct 2013
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (Before 1951)"
5. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV: submitted by
B. Walls; 20 dec 2013.
Mildred Elizabeth Ward; born 20 Oct 1933; died 4 Dec 1993; buried here; grave marker photo shown;
"MAMA YOU LOVED A LOT IN YOUR TIME"; plaque photo also shown;
"I CAN'T HONESTLY SAY THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU AND I DOUBT THAT YOU WERE LOOKING
FOR ME...BUT IT HAPPENED ...AND HERE WE ARE...TWO PEOPLE...NOT SURE WHERE WE'RE
GOING...JUST HAPPY TO KNOW THAT WHEREEVER IT IS...WE'LL BE GOING THERE TOGETHER *
"MILDRED E, WARD * HARRY S. WARD * JANUARY 4, 1974"
1. Douglas Mortuary; Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
" Marie Moore, 77, of Bluefield, formerly of McDowell County passed away Friday, November 3, 2017 at Welch Community Hospital.
"Born May 10, 1940 in Excelsior she was the daughter of the late Hatfield Fuller and Gladys Love Honaker. She was a graduate of Big Creek High School in War. She was a former manager of a Goodwill store in North Carolina, and was a former home health care nurse.
"In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Mike Muncie Moore, and a sister Margaret Hite.
"Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter Kimberly Charles and husband Delbert of Princeton; two sons, Mike Wright of Princeton and Gary Wright of Tampa, FL; one brother, Ronald Fuller of Fort Wayne, IN; and a grandson, Austin Charles of Premier.
"Funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, November 8 at 11 a.m. in the Douglas Mortuary chapel in Welch with the Rev. Randall Dority officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview MemoryGardens, Bluefield, VA...."
1. Douglas Mortuary; Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
"John Raymond Thompson, 42, of Welch passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in Carswell.
"He was born December 4, 1974 in Beckley. He was a 1993 graduate of Mt. View High School, and the Nashville Auto Diesel College in 1994. He was a truck mechanic.
"He is survived by his mother, Mary Ann “Corky” Thompson of Welch; a sister, Kimberly Thompson Lough and husband Rick of Charleston; and two nieces, Mia and Rachael Lough of Charleston.
"The family will have private graveside inurnment services at a later date...."