1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1933); Page 145; WV Archives Website.
Lawrence Bandy; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Berwind, WV; son of L.F.
and Amandy; married on 14 Oct 1933 at War, WV; Ruby Presit (sic, Pruitt); age 18; born in McDowell
Co, WV; single; living at Canebrake, WV; daughter of Henry and Lue.
2. Facebook PM Posting; Wayne Pruitt; 2023; taken from https://newspaperarchive,com; 13 Aug 2017."Funeral Services Held For Lawrence Bandy, Who met Instant Death When Auto Failed To Round
Curve.
"Funeral services wew held yesterday at Hartwell for Lawrence Bandy, 20, of Canebrake, who was
instantly killed when is automobile turned over near Hartwell Saturday. According to officers, who
investigated the accident, Bandy's car turned over as it was rounding a curve, and from all
indications the driver must have been traveling at a fast pace. "Two other young men were riding in the car, but they escaped injury. Deputy Sheriff John Atwell
arrived at the scene of the accident shortly after it occurred. The car, it was reported, landed on its
top. Bandy received a crushed skull.
"The deceased was employed by the New River and Pocahontas Consolidated company. He is
survived by his widow, one child and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Bandy of Canebrake."
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Registry; Vol #__(1935); Page 20; Line #17; WV Archives Website.
Lawrence Bandy; age 20 yrs, 0 mons, 2 days; born 26 Feb 1915 in VA; married coal miner; son of
Lee and Mary (Whitt) Bandy; died 2 Mar 1935 at Vallcreek, WV; due to fractured skull with a broken
neck; buried 4 Mar 1935.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1933); Page 145; WV Archives Website.
Lawrence Bandy; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Berwind, WV; son of L.F.
and Amandy; married on 14 Oct 1933 at War, WV; Ruby Presit (sic, Pruitt); age 18; born in McDowell
Co, WV; single; living at Canebrake, WV; daughter of Henry and Lue.
2. Facebook PM Posting; Wayne Pruitt; 2023; Clipped from Bluefield, West Virginia, USA.
"M'Dowell Woman Beaten, Slashed To Death in Hills
"Officials Say Pres Roberts, of Berwind, Admits Striking Mrs. Ruby Pruitt with Iron Bar, Cutting Her
Throast; Leads Officers to Scene
"Confessing that he struck Mrs.Ruby Pruitt, 23-year-old widow, over the head with an iron bar
eleven times, and the cut her throat from ear to ear, killing her almost instantly, when they argued
over money, Pres Roberts, 36-year-old Berwind miner, is being held in the McDowell county jail at
Welch, charged with first-degree murder. Prosecuting Attorney Thornton Berry announced Roberts
confession yesterday afternoon after the suspect had een questioned since Tuesday night.
"The body of Mrs. Pruitt was found in the hills above Warrior baseball park late Tuesday afternoon
after Roberts led Trooper T. A. Maupin tothe scene. Roberts was arressed almost immediately
following the finding of the body.
"The victim of the brutal slaying had been knifed many times about the body, the prosecuting
attorney's office announced.
"Roberts and Mrs. Pruitt had beer (sic, been) companions for the past two years police learned.
"The two had been together since 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, investigating officers related, and
went into the mountains. It was here the argument over the money started, resulting in McDowell's
most gruesome murder in many years. Details as to why the argument became so violent could
not be learned from the accused. Jack Marinart, assistant prosecuting attorney stated yesterday
afternoon the investigation would continue today.
"Roberts told officers he came out of the mountains, went to his home in Berwind and sent a
friend for the police.
" Mrs. Pruitt was born January 4, 1917, at Canebrake, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Pruitt. She had spent her entire life in that section.
"A widow,she was the wife of the late Lawrence Bandy.
"Survivors include her mother, three children, Betty Jo, Charles, and Mary Lou, three sisters,
Mrs. Marie Silcoa, Mrs. Irene White and Agnes Pruitt and seven brothers, Elmer, Thor, Earl, Marlyn,
Willard, Bydy and Fung.
"Funeral sevices will be held at War Baptist church this afternoon at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mr.
Prayter officiating. Burial will take place in the Hartwell cemetery."
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #5237; WV Archives Website.
Ruby Pruitt Bandy; age 23 yrs, 2 mons, 25 days; born 14 Jan 1917 at Canebrake, WV; widow of
Lawrence Bandy; living at Warrior (Warriormine?), WV; daughter of Henry and Lula Pruitt; died 8 Apr
1941 at Warrior, WV; due to hemorrhage from lacurations of neck; cut with knife; homicide; buried
10 Apr 1941 at Hartwell, WV; informant Mrs. Henry pruitt, War, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1933); Page 145; WV Archives Website.
Lawrence Bandy; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Berwind, WV; son of L.F.
and Amandy; married on 14 Oct 1933 at War, WV; Ruby Presit (sic, Pruitt); age 18; born in McDowell
Co, WV; single; living at Canebrake, WV; daughter of Henry and Lue.
2. Facebook PM Posting; Wayne Pruitt; 2023; Clipped from Bluefield, West Virginia, USA.
"M'Dowell Woman Beaten, Slashed To Death in Hills
"Officials Say Pres Roberts, of Berwind, Admits Striking Mrs. Ruby Pruitt with Iron Bar, Cutting Her
Throast; Leads Officers to Scene
"Confessing that he struck Mrs.Ruby Pruitt, 23-year-old widow, over the head with an iron bar
eleven times, and the cut her throat from ear to ear, killing her almost instantly, when they argued
over money, Pres Roberts, 36-year-old Berwind miner, is being held in the McDowell county jail at
Welch, charged with first-degree murder. Prosecuting Attorney Thornton Berry announced Roberts
confession yesterday afternoon after the suspect had een questioned since Tuesday night.
"The body of Mrs. Pruitt was found in the hills above Warrior baseball park late Tuesday afternoon
after Roberts led Trooper T. A. Maupin tothe scene. Roberts was arressed almost immediately
following the finding of the body.
"The victim of the brutal slaying had been knifed many times about the body, the prosecuting
attorney's office announced.
"Roberts and Mrs. Pruitt had beer (sic, been) companions for the past two years police learned.
"The two had been together since 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, investigating officers related, and
went into the mountains. It was here the argument over the money started, resulting in McDowell's
most gruesome murder in many years. Details as to why the argument became so violent could
not be learned from the accused. Jack Marinart, assistant prosecuting attorney stated yesterday
afternoon the investigation would continue today.
"Roberts told officers he came out of the mountains, went to his home in Berwind and sent a
friend for the police.
" Mrs. Pruitt was born January 4, 1917, at Canebrake, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Pruitt. She had spent her entire life in that section.
"A widow,she was the wife of the late Lawrence Bandy.
"Survivors include her mother, three children, Betty Jo, Charles, and Mary Lou, three sisters,
Mrs. Marie Silcoa, Mrs. Irene White and Agnes Pruitt and seven brothers, Elmer, Thor, Earl, Marlyn,
Willard, Bydy and Fung.
"Funeral sevices will be held at War Baptist church this afternoon at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mr.
Prayter officiating. Burial will take place in the Hartwell cemetery."
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #5237; WV Archives Website.
Ruby Pruitt Bandy; age 23 yrs, 2 mons, 25 days; born 14 Jan 1917 at Canebrake, WV; widow of
Lawrence Bandy; living at Warrior (Warriormine?), WV; daughter of Henry and Lula Pruitt; died 8 Apr
1941 at Warrior, WV; due to hemorrhage from lacurations of neck; cut with knife; homicide; buried
10 Apr 1941 at Hartwell, WV; informant Mrs. Henry pruitt, War, WV.
1. Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Billy G Hammonds
Gender Male
Age 26
Birth Date abt 1944
Marriage Date 11 Jun 1970
Marriage Place Guadalupe, Texas, USA
Spouse Betty Pruitt
Case Number 26111970056015"
1. Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty Pruitt
Gender Female
Age 33
Birth Date abt 1937
Marriage Date 11 Jun 1970
Marriage Place Guadalupe, Texas, USA
Spouse Billy G Hammonds
Case Number 331131970056015"
2. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty J. Hammonds
Social Security Number 565-58-3561
Birth Date 18 Feb 1939
Issue year 1959
Issue State California
Last Residence 78214, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA
Death Date 14 Jun 2002"
3. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty Jo Boyles [Betty Walser] [Betty Hammonds] [Betty Jo Pruitt]
Gender Female
Race White
Birth Date 18 Feb 1937
Birth Place War McDowell, West Virginia [War, West Virginia]
Death Date 14 Jun 2002
Father Coy Pruitt
Mother Ruby Pruitt
SSN 565583561
Notes Aug 1959: Name listed as BETTY JO BOYLES;
Jun 1963: Name listed as BETTY WALSER;
Aug 1963: Name listed as BETTY JO WALSER;
Aug 1968: Name listed as BETTY JO HAMMONDS;
22 Jun 2002: Name listed as BETTY J HAMMONDS"
4. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Tamera; 27 Aug 2021.
" Betty Jo Pruitt Hammonds
Birth 18 Feb 1939
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 14 Jun 2002 (aged 63)
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
Burial Mission Burial Park South
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
Memorial ID 231271549"Additional Information Posted:
"Mother: Ruby Pruitt"
1. Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty Pruitt
Gender Female
Age 33
Birth Date abt 1937
Marriage Date 11 Jun 1970
Marriage Place Guadalupe, Texas, USA
Spouse Billy G Hammonds
Case Number 331131970056015"
2. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty J. Hammonds
Social Security Number 565-58-3561
Birth Date 18 Feb 1939
Issue year 1959
Issue State California
Last Residence 78214, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA
Death Date 14 Jun 2002"
3. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty Jo Boyles [Betty Walser] [Betty Hammonds] [Betty Jo Pruitt]
Gender Female
Race White
Birth Date 18 Feb 1937
Birth Place War McDowell, West Virginia [War, West Virginia]
Death Date 14 Jun 2002
Father Coy Pruitt
Mother Ruby Pruitt
SSN 565583561
Notes Aug 1959: Name listed as BETTY JO BOYLES;
Jun 1963: Name listed as BETTY WALSER;
Aug 1963: Name listed as BETTY JO WALSER;
Aug 1968: Name listed as BETTY JO HAMMONDS;
22 Jun 2002: Name listed as BETTY J HAMMONDS"
4. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Tamera; 27 Aug 2021.
" Betty Jo Pruitt Hammonds
Birth 18 Feb 1939
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 14 Jun 2002 (aged 63)
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
Burial Mission Burial Park South
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
Memorial ID 231271549"Additional Information Posted:
"Mother: Ruby Pruitt"
1. Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty Pruitt
Gender Female
Age 33
Birth Date abt 1937
Marriage Date 11 Jun 1970
Marriage Place Guadalupe, Texas, USA
Spouse Billy G Hammonds
Case Number 331131970056015"
2. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty J. Hammonds
Social Security Number 565-58-3561
Birth Date 18 Feb 1939
Issue year 1959
Issue State California
Last Residence 78214, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA
Death Date 14 Jun 2002"
3. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Betty Jo Boyles [Betty Walser] [Betty Hammonds] [Betty Jo Pruitt]
Gender Female
Race White
Birth Date 18 Feb 1937
Birth Place War McDowell, West Virginia [War, West Virginia]
Death Date 14 Jun 2002
Father Coy Pruitt
Mother Ruby Pruitt
SSN 565583561
Notes Aug 1959: Name listed as BETTY JO BOYLES;
Jun 1963: Name listed as BETTY WALSER;
Aug 1963: Name listed as BETTY JO WALSER;
Aug 1968: Name listed as BETTY JO HAMMONDS;
22 Jun 2002: Name listed as BETTY J HAMMONDS"
4. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Tamera; 27 Aug 2021.
" Betty Jo Pruitt Hammonds
Birth 18 Feb 1939
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 14 Jun 2002 (aged 63)
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
Burial Mission Burial Park South
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
Memorial ID 231271549"Additional Information Posted:
"Mother: Ruby Pruitt"
1. 1930 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Big Stone Gap; taken on 15 Apr 1930; Page 74B;
Image 30 of 33; Family #278/288.
Listed as Henry M. Dalton, Jr; age 8; born in VA; in household of father, Henry M. Dalton.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Big Sandy; E.D. 24-37; taken on 25/26
Apr 1940; Page 759A; Image 32 of 35; Household #236.
Listed as Henry Dalton, Jr; age 18; born in VA; 1 yr HS education; lived in same place
on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Henry M. Dalton.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1942); Page 197; WV Archives Website.
Henry Dalton; age 21; born in VA; single; living at Big Sandy, WV; married on 1 May 1942 at
Roderfield, WV; Edith Jones; age 18; born in Wise Co, VA; single; living at Big Sandy, WV with consent
of Samd and Josephine jones, parents of Edith Jones.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; taken on 7 Apr 1930; Page 198B; Image
12 of 75; Family #116/117.
Listed as Edith Jones; age 6; born in VA; in household of father, Samuel Jones.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1942); Page 197; WV Archives Website.
Henry Dalton; age 21; born in VA; single; living at Big Sandy, WV; married on 1 May 1942 at
Roderfield, WV; Edith Jones; age 18; born in Wise Co, VA; single; living at Big Sandy, WV with consent
of Samd and Josephine jones, parents of Edith Jones.
1. Douglas Mortuary; Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
"Mary June Dalton Green, 61, of Chesterfield, VA, formerly of Big Sandy and Welch, WV, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at her home after a brief illness with her loving husband and son by her side."Born on January 18, 1963, in Welch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Henry Melvin Dalton Jr. and Edith Jones Dalton of Big Sandy, WV.
"She had been a resident of Chesterfield, VA, for over 20 years and was the former owner and operator of Aquarius Beauty Shop in Welch, WV. She was a 1981 graduate of Mount View
High School in Welch, WV, and Pineville School of Cosmetology in Pineville, WV. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Mary was known for her sweet smile and kind personality. She was always willing to help anyone in need and offer words of encouragement. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed."In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Shirley Dalton of Princeton, WV, and her in-laws Jack and Patsy Green of Myrtle Beach, SC.
"Those left to cherish her memory are husband James of 43 years and son Jimmy Green of the home; grandson Conner Green, Spec/E4 of Wahiawa, HI; brother Henry Melvin Dalton Ill of Princeton, WV; sister Rachel Dalton Sanders and husband Larry of Haymarket, VA; and special friend since elementary school Becky Hall Young of Princeton, WV.
"In keeping with her wishes, she was cremated. A celebration of her life will be held at a later. date.
"The Affinity Funeral Service of Richmond, VA, served the family. Special thanks to Linda Douglas of Douglas Mortuary in Welch, WV."