1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1923); Page 14; WV Aechives Web Site.
J.A. Neely; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Davy, WV; son of Alfred and
Sarah; married on 31 Jan 1923 at Welch, WV; Floya Roark; age 21; born in Ashe Co, NC; single;
daughter of Newton and Susie.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Ream; taken on 20 Jan 1920; Page 182A; Image 19
of 70; Family #156/178.
Listed as Floya Roark; age 19; born in NC; single; in household of father, Newton L. Roark.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1923); Page 14; WV Aechives Web Site.
J.A. Neely; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Davy, WV; son of Alfred and
Sarah; married on 31 Jan 1923 at Welch, WV; Floya Roark; age 21; born in Ashe Co, NC; single;
daughter of Newton and Susie.
3. 1950 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Davy; taken 10 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 29; Dwelling #221.
Listed as Flora Neely; age 48; born in NC; widow; head of household.
1. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Susan Pescosolido Richardson; 14 Apr 2018.
" Sherlock Holmes Neely
Birth 14 Jan 1924
Davy, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 14 Sep 1974 (aged 50)
Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, USA
Burial Roselawn Memorial Gardens
Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 188808643"Additional Information Posted:
"Sherlock Holmes Neely, 50, of Davy died Saturday in a Durham, North Carolina, hospital after a short illness. Death was attributed to natural causes."Born January 14, 1924, at Davy, he was a son of the late James Arthur Neely and Mrs. Flora Jane Roark Neely of Davy.
"He was a lifelong resident of Davy, veteran of World War II and attended the First Church of God at Davy.
"Surviving in addition to his mother include four sisters, Miss Opal Neely of Davy, Mrs. Margie Fuller of Oceana, Mrs. L. V. (Trilby) Thompson of Charleston, and Mrs. Richard (Mary) Cook of Pensacola, Fla., and one brother, James Arthur Neely of Pineville.
"The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the First Church of God at Davy with Rev. Claude Oliver in charge. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Bluefield-Princeton Road.
"Friends may call at the Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in Welch and at the church one hour prior to the funeral.
"Pallbearers will be Howard Worthington, Bruce Gilley, Robert Crockett, Fred Short, Jerry Taylor, Kermit Walker, Carl Wayne Erps and Ray Morgan.
"Published: Beckley Post-Herald, September 17, 1974 Tuesday
"Source: Contributor, Glenda Rowland"
1. 1950 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Davy; taken 11 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 30; Dwelling #221.
Listed as Opal Neely; age 22; born in WV; never married; sales lady in retail store; in houseold of
mother, Floya Roark Neely.
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Glenda Rowland; 21 Jan 2020.
" Opal G. Neely
Birth 12 Oct 1927
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 3 Jan 2018 (aged 90)
Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA
Burial Roselawn Memorial Gardens
Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 206441582"Additional Information Posted:
"Harding Funerals & Cremations"Opal G. Neely, age 90, of Kanawha City, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
"She was born in McDowell Co., WV, daughter of the late James and Flora Roark Neely. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Sherlock Neely.
"She had previously lived in McDowell Co., where she owned and operated Davy Sundry Co. She was a member of Kanawha City Baptist Church.
"She is survived by her sister, Margie Fuller with whom she made her home; sisters Mary Jeppersen of Pensacola, FL, and Trilby Thompson of Charleston; brother James A. Neely of Bonaire, GA; nieces, Jill Pennington of Bonaire, GA, Rita Lane of Broomall, PA, Jennifer Plymale, of Huntington, and Susan Keener of Charleston; two nephews, Robert Fuller of Bluefield, VA, and Jeff Thompson of Charleston.
"A tribute to Opal's life will be held at noon Thursday, January 11, at Harding Funerals & Cremations, with Pastor Don Toler officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Princeton, WV. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services.
"Harding Funerals & Cremations, 514 50th St. SE, Kanawha City, is serving Opal's family."
1. 1950 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Davy; taken 11 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 30; Dwelling #221.
Listed as James Neely; age 20; born in WV; never married; salesman in retail clothing store; in
houseold of mother, Floya Roark Neely.
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Loree & Billy Beecham; 6 Mar 2018.
" James Arthur Neely
Birth 25 Jun 1929
West Virginia, USA
Death 3 Mar 2018 (aged 88)
Georgia, USA
Burial Cremated
Memorial ID 187834262 "Additional Information Posted:
"James Arthur Neely, age 88, of Bonaire, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018. He was born June 25, 1929 in McDowell County, West Virginia and was the son of the late James Arthur, Sr. and Flora Roark Neely. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Sherlock Neely, and a sister, Opal Neely.
He previously lived in Davy, West Virginia and Pineville, West Virginia where he worked for Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company for 38 years. James was a member of Bonaire First Baptist Church in Bonaire.
"A tribute to James's life will be held at Bonaire First Baptist Church on Saturday, March 10th at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Kenny Rodgers officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be given in memory of James A. Neely to Bonaire First Baptist Church, 142 GA Hwy 96, Bonaire, GA 31005 or to Cook Memorial Baptist Church, WV Hwy 10, Pineville, WV 24874.
"McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Neely’s arrangements.
~~~
"Source: McCullough Funeral Home, Warner Robins, Ga"
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Davy; Railroad Street; taken on 16 Apr 1930;
Page 227B; Image 69 of 75; Family #13/14.
Listed as Carl Roark; age 23; born in NC; single; motorman in coal mine; in household of father,
Newton L. Roark.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'59 006598; WV Archives Web Site.
Carl Huey Roark; age 52; born 19 Dec 1906 in Clifton, NC; married; living at Marytown, WV;
son of Neuten L. and Susan (Rowland) Roark; died 11 May 1959 at Marytown, WV in abandoned
basement of building; due to self inflicted gun shot wound to head; buried 13 May 1959 in
Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, WV; informant, Jesse Roark, Highland Park, MI.
3. FindAgrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 21 Sep 2014.
Carl Huey Roark; born 25 Nov 1906; died 11 May 1959; buried here; headstone photo shown; "REST
IN PEACE".
1. Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007: LDS Web Site.
"Name Ruth C Roark
Event Type Death
Event Date 24 Aug 1996
Time 05:40 AM
Event Place Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, United States
Registration Place Park Medical
Residence Place Ohio
Gender Female
Age 83
Marital Status Widowed
Race White
Industry Own Home/At Home
Education Level 7
Occupation Housewife/Homemaker
Military Service No
Social Security Number 278-62-1298
Birth Date 06 May 1913
Birthplace West Virginia, United States
Father's Surname Berbert
Mother's Surname Dixion
Hospital Status Hospital/Inpatient
Certificate Number 061631
Volume Number 30772
Census Tract 7120
Registration District 2501
Affiliate Line Number 61578
Affiliate File Name DEATHS96.DAT
Source Reference Ohio Department of Health"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #6590; WV Archives Web Site.
Bertie Ann Roark; age 5 days; born 8 May 1930 at Davy, WV; infant daughter of Carl and
Ruth (Burbett) Roark; died 13 May 1930 in Browns Creek District, McDowell Co, WV; due to internal
hemorrhage; premature infant; no burial information; informant, Carl Roark, Davy, WV.
Leland Sanford "Buster" Riggs Sr
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 30 Jan 1920; Page 193A; Image 41
of 70; Family #367/401.
Listed as Leland Riggs; age 8; born in WV in household of father, Charles C. Riggs.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 6 Apr 1930; Page 24A; Image 21 of 60;
Family #182/189.
Listed as Buster Riggs; age 19; born in WV; single; in household of father, Charles C. Riggs.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1933); Page 367; WV Archives Web Site.
Leland Stanford Riggs; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; bee keeper; living at Gary, WV;
son of Charles C. and Elizabeth; married on 1 Jan 1933 at Welch, WV; Ann Elisa Durham; age 22;
born in Giles Co, VA; single; living at Gary, WV; daughter of Robert and Jeanette.
4. 1940 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken on 11 Apr 1940; Page 43B;
Image 32 of 64; Household #263.
Listed as Leland Riggs; age 29; born in WV; married; 2 yrs college education; lived in same house on
1 Apr 1935; machine repairman for coal mine; head of household.
5. Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-2007: Ancestery.com Web Site.
"Birth Date 1911
Gender Male
Race White
Residence Place Gallipolis, Gallia, Ohio, United States
Death Date 17 Aug
Hospital of Death Holzer Medical Center
Death Place Gallia, Ohio, USA
Certificate 057402
Age at Death 67
Certifier Physician
Marital Status Married
Probate search Leland S Riggs - 1978"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1933); Page 367; WV Archives Web Site.
Leland Stanford Riggs; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; bee keeper; living at Gary, WV;
son of Charles C. and Elizabeth; married on 1 Jan 1933 at Welch, WV; Ann Elisa Durham; age 22;
born in Giles Co, VA; single; living at Gary, WV; daughter of Robert and Jeanette.
2. 1940 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken on 11 Apr 1940; Page 43B;
Image 32 of 64; Household #263.
Listed as Ann Riggs; age 30; born in VA; married; 8th grade education; lived in same house on
1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Leland S. Riggs.
1. 1940 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken on 11 Apr 1940; Page 43B;
Image 32 of 64; Household #263.
Listed as Leland Riggs, Jr; age 6; born in WV; no education; attending school; lived in same house on
1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Leland S. Riggs.
2. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: L. Riggs
Birth Date: 21 Dec 1933
Death Date: 24 Nov 1993
Cause of Death: Natural
SSN: 229365391
Branch 1: AF
Enlistment Date 1: 3 Jun 1955
Release Date 1: 31 Aug 1975"
3. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Leland Stanford Riggs Jr
[L S Riggs Jr Jr]
SSN: 229365391
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 21 Dec 1933
Birth Place: Bishop McDow, West Virginia
Death Date: 15 Nov 1993
Father: Lelaned S Riggs
Mother: Ann Durham
Death Certificate Number: 048310
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Jun 1948: Name listed as LELAND STANFORD RIGGS JR; 22 May 1998: Name listed as L S RIGGS JR"
4. Georgia, Death Index, 1919-1998: Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Leland S Riggs
Death Date: 24 Nov 1993
County of Death: Fulton
Gender: M (Male)
Race: White
Age: 59 Years
County of Residence: Cobb
Certificate: 048310
Date Filed: 1 Dec 1993"
1. 1940 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken on 11 Apr 1940; Page 43B;
Image 32 of 64; Household #263.
Listed as Charles Carter Riggs; age 6 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Leland S. Riggs.
1. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Premier; taken 5 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 12; Dwelling #84.
Listed as Betty J. Riggs; age 9; born in WV; in household of father, William Ellis Riggs.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Betty Jean Riggs
[Betty Jean Mere]
[Betty Mere]
SSN: 235629389
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 29 Sep 1940
Birth Place: Premier Mcdo, West Virginia
Death Date: 31 Jan 2000
Father: Ellis Riggs
Mother: Juanita Dillon
Death Certificate Number: TIDD FUNERAL HM DO-389
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Apr 1957: Name listed as BETTY JEAN RIGGS; Nov 1960: Name listed as BETTY JEAN MERE; 05 Feb 2000: Name listed as BETTY J MERE"
1. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken on 24 May 1910; Page 31B; Image 32 of 45;
Family #295/295.
Listed as Barney Riggs; age 39; born in VA; in household of father, Charles C. Riggs.
2. McDowell Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #12; 12 Sep 1918; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Barney Eugene Riggs; age 18; born 18 Dec 1899; living at Gary, WV; transit man for US Coal & C. Co,
Gary, WV; nearest relative, C.C. Riggs, Gary, WV; tall with slender build; // eyes and light hair.
3. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 30 Jan 1920; Page 193A; Image 41
of 70; Family #367/401.
Listed as Barnie Riggs; age 19; born in VA; single; civil engineer for coal company; in household of
father, Charles C. Riggs.
4. 1940 Census, Montgomery Co, OH; Harrison Township; E.D. 57-16; taken on 6 Apr 1940; Page 292B;
Image 6 of 59; Household #67.
Listed as Barney Riggs; age 39; born in VA; married; 2 yrs college education; lived in Lima, OH on 1
Apr 1940; coal salesman for mining company; head of household.
1. 1940 Census, Montgomery Co, OH; Harrison Township; E.D. 57-16; taken on 6 Apr 1940; Page 292B;
Image 6 of 59; Household #67.
Listed as Freda Riggs; age 39; born in VA; married; 4 yrs college education; lived in Lima, OH on 1
Apr 1940; in household of husband, Barney E. Riggs.
1. 1940 Census, Montgomery Co, OH; Harrison Township; E.D. 57-16; taken on 6 Apr 1940; Page 292B;
Image 6 of 59; Household #67.
Listed as Freda L. Riggs; age 4; born in VA;; in household of father, Barney E. Riggs.
1. Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: C. C. Riggs
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Age: 22
Birth Date: 1878
Birth Place: Scott Co. VA.
Marriage Date: 3 Feb 1900
Marriage Place: Scott County, Virginia
Father: M. A.
Mother: P.
Spouse: Bessie Davidson
FHL Film Number: 2048451
Reference ID: Scott Image 294"
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken on 24 May 1910; Page 31B; Image 32 of 45;
Family #295/295.
Listed as Charles C. Riggs; age 35; born in VA; married once for 10 yrs; shop machinist; head of
household.
3. McDowell Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #622; 12 Sep 1918; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Charles Carter Riggs; age 40; born 14 Jun 1878 ; living at Box 193, Gary, WV; power plant machanic
for US Coal & Coke Co, Gary, WV; nearest relative, Bessie Riggs, Gary, WV; short with slender build;
blue eyes and light hair.
4. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 30 Jan 1920; Page 193A; Image 41
of 70; Family #367/401.
Listed as Charles C. Riggs; age 41; born in VA; married; machinist in electric power plant; head of
household.
5. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 6 Apr 1930; Page 24A; Image 21 of 60;
Family #182/189.
Listed as Charles C. Riggs; age 52; born in VA; married at 22; machinist in power house; head of
household.
6. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken on 16 Apr 1940; Page 51B;
Image 38 of 64; Household #307.
Listed as Charles C. Riggs; age 62; born in VA; married; 7th grade education; lived in same house
on 1 Apr 1935; coal mine foreman; head of household.
7. McDowell Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #U-253; 27 Apr 1942; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Charles Carter Riggs; age 64; born 14 jun 1877 in Clinchport, VA; living at Gary, WV; employed by
United States Coal & Coke Company, Gary, WV; person who will always know address, Eliazbeth D.
Riggs, Gary, WV; 5'9" tall; 176 lbs; blue eyes; gray hair; ruddy complexion; appendix operation.
8. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Edgewater New Smyrna Cemetery, Edgewater, Volusia Co, FL; submitted by
Robert Stanley Orrell; 5 Feb 2009.
Charles C. Riggs; born in 1878; died in 1954; buried here; grave marker phot shown.
Elizabeth Elvira "Bessie" Davidson
1. Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Bessie Davidson
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: 1879
Birth Place: Scott Co. VA.
Marriage Date: 3 Feb 1900
Marriage Place: Scott County, Virginia
Father: Jno. M.
Mother: M.
Spouse: C. C. Riggs
FHL Film Number: 2048451
Reference ID: Scott Image 294"
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken on 24 May 1910; Page 31B; Image 32 of 45;
Family #295/295.
Listed as Bessie Riggs; age 32; born in VA; married once for 10 yrs; 3 children; all living; in household
of husband, Charles C. Riggs.
3. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 30 Jan 1920; Page 193A; Image 41
of 70; Family #367/401.
Listed as Bessie Riggs; age 32; born in VA; married; in household of husband, Charles C. Riggs.
5. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; taken on 6 Apr 1930; Page 24A; Image 21 of 60;
Family #182/189.
Listed as Elizabeth E. Riggs; age 51; born in VA; married at 21; in household of husband, Charles C. Riggs.
6. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken on 16 Apr 1940; Page 51B;
Image 38 of 64; Household #307.
Listed as Eliazbeth Riggs; age 61; born in VA; married; 7th grade education; lived in same house
on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Charles C. Riggs..
7. Mercer Co, WV; death Certificate #7557; WV Archives Web Site.
Elizabeth Elvira Tiggs; age 65 yrs, 1 mn, 5 days; born 12 Apr 1878 in Rye Cove, VA; married; wife of
C.C. Riggs; housewife; living at Gary, WV; daughter of John M. and Mattie (Richmond) Davidson; died 17
May 1943 in Bluefield Sanitarium, Bluefield, WV; due to pertioneal carcimoma; burie 20 May 1943 in family
cemetery, East Stone Gap, VA; informant, Mrs. E. W. Alley; Jenkinjones, WV.