1.1900 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, page 266B, Family #488.
Listed as Bradford Lester, age 12, born in Jul 1887 in WV, in household of mother, Julia Lester.
2. 1930 Census. Raleigh Co, WV; Slab Fork District; Stone Coal Road; taken on 7 Apr 1930; Page
164B; Image 14 of 77; Family #136/143.
Listed as Bradford Lester; age 36; born in WV; married at 29; laborer in coal mine; head of
household.
3. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 12 Apr 1940; Page
1156A; Image 13 of 64; Household #101.
Listed as Bford Lester; age 53; born in WV; married; 8th grade education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; laborer on road project for W.P.A.; head of household.
4, McDowell Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #U-29; 27 Apr 1942; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Radford(sic, Bradford) Lester; age 57; born 7 Jul 1885 in Panther, McDowell Co, WV; living at
Horse Creek, McDowell Co, WV; employed by W.P.A., Welch, WVAt Panther, WV; person who will
always know address, Zola Lester, Panther, WV; 5'11" tall; 220 lbs; brown eyes; brown hair; light
complexion.
5. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Bradford Lester
Birth Date: 7 Jul 1886
Claim Date: 14 Jul 1948
Type of Claim: Life Claim
Notes: 13 Jul 1948: Name listed as BRADFORD LESTER"
6. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'59 006595; WV Archives Web Site.
Bradford Lester; age 76; born 7 Jul 1882 (sic, 1886) at Panther, WV; married; retired miner; living at
Iaeger, WV; son of Lindsey and Julia (Collins) Lester; died 22 May 1959 at Iaeger, WV; due to
cardio-vascular renal disease; buried 24 May 1959 in Justice Cemetery, Panther, WV; informant,
Zolle Lester, Iaeger, WV.
1. 1930 Census. Raleigh Co, WV; Slab Fork District; Stone Coal Road; taken on 7 Apr 1930; Page 164B;
Image 14 of 77; Family #136/143.
Listed as Zollie Lester; age 23; born in WV; married at 16; in household of husband, Bradford Lester.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 12 Apr 1940; Page 1156A;
Image 13 of 64; Household #101.
Listed as Zola Lester; age 32; born in WV; married; 4th grade education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Bradford Lester.
1. 1930 Census. Raleigh Co, WV; Slab Fork District; Stone Coal Road; taken on 7 Apr 1930; Page 164B;
Image 14 of 77; Family #136/143.
Listed as Tressie Lester; age 4; born in WV; in household of father, Bradford Lester.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 12 Apr 1940; Page 1156A;
Image 13 of 64; Household #101.
Listed as Tressie Lester; age 14; born in WV; single; 3rd grade education; not attending school;
lived in same place on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Bradford Lester.
1. Raleigh Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1928); Page 99; WV Archives Web Site.
Harold Day Cottle; age 20 born in Summers Co, WV; living in Beckley, WV; married on 18 Jun 1928
at Madam Creek, WV; Della Mary Lilly; age 19; born in Summers Co, WV; living at Beckley, WV.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 21 Jan 2015.
Della Cottle LeGrand; born in 1909; died in 1981; buried here; double headstone photo shown with first? husband,
Harold D. Cottle; "OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN"; "AT REST WITH GOD".
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #10220; WV Archives Web Site.
Harry Anderson Leffew; age 45; born 19 Dec 1911 in Twin Branch, WV; married; foreman for
coal company; living at Caretta; son of James and Lillie (Roope) Leffew; died 6 Aug 1955 at
Caretta, WV; due to coronary thrombosis; buried 8 Aug 1955 in Iaeger Memorial; informant,
Mary Leffew.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 9 Mar 2014.
Harry Anderson Leffew; born 19 Dec 1910 (sic? 1911?); died 6 Aug 1955; buried here; double
headstone photo shown with wife Mary L. Meador Leffew.; death certificate posted;
"IN LOVING MEMORY".
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 9 Mar 2014.
Mary Lou Meador Lefew; born 14 Sep 1914; died 3 Mar 1999; buried here; double headstone photo
shown with husband, Harry Anderson Leffew; "IN LOVING MEMORY".
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #86-033577; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Deon Lester; age 22; born 31 May 1964 in IL; single; 4 yrs college; this was his first marriage;
living at Box 1, Iaeger, WV; son of Audra Demis and Kathleen Freada (Murphy) Lester; married
on 18 Jul 1986 in Buchanan Co, VA; Paula Jean Stone; age 18; born 13 Mar 1968 in WV; 12th
grade education; this was her first marriage; living at Rt 2, Box 50, Iaeger, WV; daughter of
Ralph and Sandra Sue (Rose) Stone, Jr.
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #86-033577; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Deon Lester; age 22; born 31 May 1964 in IL; single; 4 yrs college; this was his first marriage;
living at Box 1, Iaeger, WV; son of Audra Demis and Kathleen Freada (Murphy) Lester; married
on 18 Jul 1986 in Buchanan Co, VA; Paula Jean Stone; age 18; born 13 Mar 1968 in WV; 12th
grade education; this was her first marriage; living at Rt 2, Box 50, Iaeger, WV; daughter of
Ralph and Sandra Sue (Rose) Stone, Jr.
1. 1920 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Welch, WV; taken on 15 Jan 1920;
Page 115B; Image 16 of 65; Family #117/143.
Listed as Jather Lemons; age 21; born in VA; single; Black; coal miner; boarder; in household
of John Davis.
1. US World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Edward Lemons
Birth Year: 1920
Race: Negro, citizen (Black)
Nativity State or Country: Virginia
State of Residence: West Virginia
County or City: Mc Dowell
Enlistment Date: 2 Jun 1941
Enlistment State: West Virginia
Enlistment City: Huntington
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 1 year of high school
Civil Occupation: Semiskilled routemen
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 67
Weight: 172"
2. Michigan, Death Records, 1867-1950: Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Edward Homer Lemons
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: May, 1920
Birth Place: Floyd, Virginia
Death Date: 5 Jun 1951
Death Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Death Age: 31
File Number: 427165
Father: Jather Lemons
Mother: Etta Beaver "
3. US Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Edward Lemons; born 29 May 1920; enlisted 2 Jun 1941; Serial # 35 206 680; 4015th Quartermaster
Truck Co; discharged 11 Dec 1945; Christian; flat marble marker; died 5 Jun 1951; ship to Samuel M.
Dickerson, Post 171; Jack C. Moss Adj, War, WV; Roderfield Cemetery, Roderfield, WV; signed by
Raymond Gray, 20 Aug 1951, Excelsior, WV.
4. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 30 Dec 2013.
Edwards Lemons; born 9 (sic, 29) May 1920; died 5 Jun 1951; buried here; grave marker photo shown; "WEST
VIRGINIA * TEC 5 4015 QM TRUCK CO * WORLD WAR II".
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 57; WV Archives Web Site.
Gleason Douglas Bowles; age 21; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single; married on 3 Nov 1949
at Iaeger, WV; Thelma Farris Beavers; age 21; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single.
2. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #73-041618; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Gleason Douglas Bowles; age 45; born 3 Sep 1928 in WV; divorced; this is his 2nd marriage; 8th
grade education; living at Box 385, Iaeger, WV; son of Luther Graham and Eula (Blankenship)
Bowles; married on 14 Sep 1973 in Grundy, VA; Darlene Sue beavers; age 24; born 1 Jul 1949 in
WV; single; this is her 1st marriage; 4 yrs HS education; living at Iaeger, WV; daughter of _____ and
Thelma Ferris Beavers.
3. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Gleason Douglas Bowles, 91, of Mile Branch passed away Thursday, April 16, 2020 at his residence."Gleason was born September 3, 1928 in Wilmore, WV, a son of the late Luther Graham and Eula Blankenship Bowles. He was a United States Army Veteran of WWII, a coal miner for 39 years, and the last surviving member of his original family. Gleason was an avid hunter and loved to be out in the mountains with his lifelong hunting buddy, Leonard Shirley; he was a member of the Two Rivers Conservation Club. Gleason loved four wheeling, singing and playing his guitar, sitting on his front porch swing, a good coon dog, and the many sweet treats from the ladies who spoiled him. Gleason was a member of the Mile Branch Church of the Living God; serving the Lord was his greatest joy and he wanted everybody to go to Heaven with him. Gleason’s best saying was “There are no bad days, just good days and better days.”
"In addition to his parents Gleason was preceded in death by three sons, Mickey, Gerald, and Joey Bowles; two daughters, Marietha Bowles and Lynn Lowe; three brothers, Jessie, Jasper, and Cyres Bowles; and five sisters, Audrey Bowles, Myrtle Babe Fraley, Thelma Doll Walker, Annie Bowles and Ethel Clemmons..
"Survivors include his loving wife Darlene Bowles of the home; children, Rhonda Poirier of Statesville, NC, Donna Holton of Mt. Airy, NC, Connie Lowe and husband Gary of Iaeger, Phillip Bowles and wife Kimberly of Statesville, NC and Wendy Martin and husband Michael of Olin, NC; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; two special nephews, Jacob and Ronnie Bowles; the mother of eight of his children, Thelma Blankenship; numerous other children who fondly referred to him as Uncle, Pa, and Mayor; and a host of additional family and friends.
"The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus for all their care.
"Funeral services will be conducted Friday, April 17, 2020 at 1 o’clock with Reverend Danny Bowles and Reverend John Wheeler officiating at the Mile Branch Church of the Living God parking lot in Mile Branch. Burial will follow in the Bowles Cemetery at Mile Branch where military graveside rites will be conducted by the VFW post #1144.
"Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
"In following the CDC guide lines we ask that social distancing be observed.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV, is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 57; WV Archives Web Site.
Gleason Douglas Bowles; age 21; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single; married on 3 Nov 1949
at Iaeger, WV; Thelma Farris Beavers; age 21; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single.
2. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #71 007608; Ancestry.com Web Site.
William Ray Lee; age 53; born 24 Jun 1917 in AL; divorced; this was his second marriage; living at
Iaeger, WV; son of James Fred and Elizabeth Ada (Manshardt) Lee; married on 19 Mar 1971 in
Grundy, VA; Thelma Farris Bowles; age 37; born 21 Aug 1933 in WV; divorced; this was her second
marriage; living at Iaeger, WV; daughter of John and Sara (Lester) Beavers.
3. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #80-037141; Ancestry.com Website.
Billy Gene Blankenship; age 43; born 2 Aug 1934 in WV; divorced; this is his 4th marriage; last
Marriage ended 25 Mar 1980; 8th grade education; living at Box 668, Iaeger, WV; son of Willis and
Stella (Facello) Blankenship; married on 14 Aug 1980 at Grundy, VA; Thelma Ferris Lee; maiden
name Beavers; age 46; born 21 Aug 1933 in WV; divorced; this is her 4th marriage; last marriage
ended 25 Mar 1980; 10th grade education; living at Box 668, Iaeger, WV; daughter of John and
Sarah (Lester) Beavers.
4. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Thelma Farris Blankenship, 90, of Iaeger, WV, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at her home."Thelma was born August 21, 1933, in War, WV a daughter of the late John and Sarah Lester Beavers.
"Thelma was a member of the Iaeger Church of God and a devoted prayer warrior. She was a hard worker with her last employment being at her daughter’s restaurant “Lynne’s Pizza” where she was known for the meals and delicious coconut pies and peanut butter cakes. She was great cook and she also worked for the McDowell County Board of education as a cook for several years.
"Thelma was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
"In addition to her parents Thlema was preceded in death by five brothers: Moody, Luther, Daniel, Jessie and John Jr. Beavers; four sisters, Addie Beavers, Zella Mae Mullins, Rosie Love and Mildred Davis; five children, Mickey, Gerald, Marietha, Joey, and Lynne.
"Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Darlene Bowles of Olin, NC, Rhonda Poirier of Statesville, NC, Donna Helton of Mt. Airy, NC, and Connie Lowe of Salisbury, NC; Special Grandson, Kevin Kirk who was her caregiver for several years; friend, Gary Lowe, who helped out a lot. Special nieces and nephews; Rita (Roscoe) Miller, Speedy (Teresa) Auville, Hershel (Anna) Davie; Grandchildren, Phillip (Kimberly) Bowles, Wendy (Michael) Martin, Sean (Casey) Poirier, Robin Poirier Townsend, Chrystal Andrigo, Brandon (Michelle) Rowe, Mandie (Craig) Kalista, and Jeffery Bowles. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Special Friends; Brenda Morgan, Jean Mullins, and Hazel Lowe.
"Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 2 o’clock, with Reverend Danny Bowles and Reverend Jimmie Justus officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV. Burial will follow in the Bowles Cemetery in Mile Branch, WV. Serving as pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Friends may visit with the family Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV with an evening service at 7 p.m.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com"